The long-awaited animated series, Secret Level, will premiere on Prime Video on 10 December 2024, bringing a completely new viewing experience for both video game enthusiasts and animation fans. Created by Tim Miller, known for his work on Love, Death + Robots, and produced by Blur Studio, Secret Level promises to combine the excitement of video games with cinematic storytelling. With 15 separate episodes, each inspired by a different video game, the series is set to bring virtual worlds and familiar characters to life, combining high quality animation with gripping storylines. This ambitious project is accompanied by a star-studded voice cast, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Keanu Reeves and Kevin Hart, each of them voicing unique characters throughout the episodes.
A groundbreaking anthology inspired by video games
Secret Level follows an anthology format, with each of its 15 episodes immersing you in a different world. The series is based on some of the most iconic and genre-defining titles, such as Pac-Man, Dungeons & Dragons, Mega Man and Warhammer 40,000, along with newer games such as Concord and Crossfire. Each episode will be independent, offering a fresh narrative that captures the spirit, tradition and unique style of the original game. From classic arcade worlds to more contemporary game narratives, Secret Level caters to a wide range of tastes and interests within the gaming community, celebrating a variety of aesthetics and story themes.
This structure allows the series to act as a tribute to the different franchises and an exploration of new perspectives on the games. Anthologies such as Love, Death + Robots have shown that audiences enjoy the diversity offered by short, standalone stories, and Secret Level will capitalise on this trend, reimagining how audiences can experience these iconic games in episodic form. Prime Video‘s Vernon Sanders says Secret Level will “weave a tapestry of iconic games” that combine animation and storytelling to reimagine the emotional depth and adventure represented by those titles.
Behind the scenes: creative leadership and production
The series comes from Blur Studio, a renowned visual effects company that has collaborated with Tim Miller on several projects, including Deadpool and Love, Death + Robots. Blur Studio’s distinctive approach to animation is evident in the series’ attention to detail, vibrant colours and innovative rendering techniques. Supervising director Dave Wilson, also known for his work in animation, collaborates with Miller, ensuring that each episode of Secret Level has a cinematic feel, mixing different animation styles to match the aesthetic of each game’s universe.
With Miller‘s experience in producing short-format stories and Blur Studio‘s advanced animation techniques, each episode is expected to stand out visually and thematically. The team’s goal is not only to recreate scenes from popular games, but to interpret the emotional core of each story, expanding the tradition and building new narratives around familiar characters and settings.
Voice cast and character performances
Prime Video has assembled an impressive voice cast for Secret Level, including Hollywood legends Arnold Schwarzenegger, Keanu Reeves and Kevin Hart, each of whom brings unique characteristics to the series’ animated heroes and villains. Schwarzenegger and Reeves, known for their action-hero characters, are expected to add depth and intensity to their roles, adding a cinematic touch that fans of the games and movies will appreciate. Kevin Hart‘s comic timing and distinctive voice add a layer of humour and relatability, especially when paired with voice acting veterans such as Gabriel Luna, Ricky Whittle and Laura Bailey.
The inclusion of both established actors and rising stars such as Schwarzenegger’s son, Patrick and Hart’s daughter, Heaven adds a sense of generational collaboration, showing a commitment to storytelling that resonates with different age groups. This mix of talent is part of the appeal of the programme, as the varied personalities and vocal performances reflect the diversity of the game worlds themselves. Fans are eager to see how these actors will bring familiar characters from the game to life, adding a new layer of emotional engagement and resonance to each episode.
Episode format and narrative potential
In terms of structure, Secret Level will release two episodes each week, allowing viewers to explore different game worlds at a steady pace. This launch format allows audiences to immerse themselves in each universe, appreciating the independent nature of the stories and building anticipation for what is to come. With the creative team drawing on classic franchises and new titles, the episodic approach also offers an element of surprise, as viewers will not know exactly what tone or style to expect.
Each episode is designed to maintain the spirit of its original game, using visual cues, familiar characters and sometimes even game-like sequences that nod to fan-favourite mechanics and story elements. Rather than simply adapting existing narratives, Secret Level aims to reimagine these worlds, exploring hypothetical scenarios and alternative narratives that may surprise even the most hardcore fans. This freedom allows the creators to honour the original essence of the game while pushing the boundaries in storytelling and animation.
Pushing the boundaries of game-inspired media
Prime Video’s decision to bring Secret Level to life highlights the growing trend of video game-inspired media. Following in the footsteps of recent adaptations such as The Last of Us and Arcane, Secret Level shows how versatile and compelling game stories can be when adapted to different formats. By combining beloved and well-known franchises with imaginative storytelling, Secret Level capitalises on a new wave of content that appeals to gamers and the general public alike.
Amazon is betting big on this trend, leveraging the global reach of Prime Video to introduce these worlds to a potentially new audience. As the lines between video games and traditional media continue to blur, Secret Level serves as a testament to the impact video games have had on pop culture. By exploring diverse genres and themes, from fantasy to science fiction to adventure, the series represents the diversity of the gaming medium, offering fans and newcomers alike a deeper appreciation of the worlds they explore.
What Secret Level means for the future of video games and the media
As the video game industry and Hollywood increasingly intersect, Secret Level could set a new standard for how game-inspired series are created. With its anthology format and world-class creative team, the series exemplifies how video games can be a rich source of narrative inspiration, bringing to life unique stories that would be impossible only within the confines of the game. For fans, Secret Level represents an opportunity to revisit game worlds, while for the uninitiated, it serves as an entry point to diverse gaming cultures and aesthetics.
The success of Secret Level could influence future adaptations, encouraging studios to take creative liberties to explore the narrative potential of games rather than simply retelling the same old plots. In an era where streaming platforms are constantly looking for fresh and immersive content, Secret Level stands out as a bold and inventive series that could pave the way for even more ambitious game-inspired media in the years to come.
Conclusion
With its December 10th release just around the corner, Secret Level is set to captivate audiences with its unique blend of video game-inspired storytelling, cinematic animation and top-notch voice cast. By tapping into the emotional core of beloved video games, the series promises to deliver nostalgic moments and fresh perspectives, reshaping the way we see game narratives on screen. Whether you’re a lifelong gamer or new to these virtual worlds, Secret Level on Prime Video could be an unforgettable journey, bridging the gap between interactive entertainment and cinematic storytelling.