Amazon Creators Defend Inclusion of Concord Episode in New Anthology Series

Key Insights from the Upcoming Animated Series

The animated anthology series Secret Level seeks to reintroduce the canceled game Concord in an innovative way.
The series will adapt several renowned video games, featuring performances from prominent voice actors.
The creators of the series emphasize the importance of appreciating the quality of the Concord episode, despite its mixed reception.

Although Concord, a controversial shooter from Sony, has been shelved, it appears to receive a fresh opportunity for revival through Amazon Prime Video’s new animated anthology, Secret Level. The show’s creators have come forward to defend their decision to retain the Concord episode, despite the game’s abrupt cancellation.

Secret Level, produced by the visionary team behind the acclaimed Love, Death + Robots, will explore a variety of beloved gaming franchises across 15 episodes. Enthusiasts of both gaming and animation can anticipate adaptations of iconic titles such as Warhammer 40,000, Mega Man, Armored Core, Unreal Tournament, and The Outer Worlds. The series boasts an impressive lineup of voice talent, including Keanu Reeves from John Wick, Arnold Schwarzenegger of The Terminator, Ariana Greenblatt from Ahsoka, Gabriel Luna from HBO’s The Last of Us, and comedian Kevin Hart, each bringing their unique flair to the animated characters.

Creators of Secret Level Stand Firm on Including Concord Episode

Two characters gazing at a city in Secret Level's episode inspired by The Outer Worlds

In a recent interview with GamesRadar+, Secret Level creators Tim Miller and Dave Wilson clarified that they never considered removing the Concord episode from the series. According to Miller, Amazon never suggested eliminating this controversial episode, and he justified its inclusion by referencing other adaptations like Unreal Tournament, which also faced challenges before their projects took shape. He emphasized their pride in the exceptional quality of the episode, reflecting on its visual appeal and the hard work invested by the creators.

Miller noted, “I can’t see any reason why we wouldn’t showcase it for the fans. While some may question our choices, our pride in the episode and its quality speaks for itself. The cancellation of the game was disappointing, especially since we admired the developers. However, it doesn’t diminish our commitment to share this project, crafted by a dedicated team of artists.”

Dave Wilson, the executive producer, reiterated that the choice to include Concord was made long ago, with the series intended to feature games from various eras. He has faced criticism and mixed feedback regarding this decision, yet remains hopeful that audiences will appreciate the episode despite preconceived notions. “It’s a lovely, legendary story about an amazing crew, and I hope viewers see that,” Wilson stated.

Although Concord encountered issues within the gaming industry, this animated adaptation provides a promising new avenue for the title. In light of the recent trend of successful game adaptations, such as The Last of Us, Fallout, and Arcane, the Concord episode of Secret Level has the potential to transform its previous challenges into a triumphant comeback in a different medium.

Secret Level will be available for streaming on Prime Video starting December 10.

Source: GamesRadar+

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