Microsoft Nixed Creator's Proposal for a Halo and Doom 'Concealed Level' Crossover
I just completed watching Level Unknown, the fresh Amazon collection centered around specific video games, much like Love, Death and Robots on Netflix. This alignment in style is credited to the shared creator, Tim Miller.
Multiple franchises, both established and recent, graced the series, including Pac Man, Warhammer, as well as popular mobile games like Honor of Kings and Crossfire. Sony made an impact as well, with an episode that unfortunately spotlighted its Concord shooter, while also wrapping up the season with a PlayStation-centric segment that felt more like an unwarranted advertisement than a cohesive narrative.
On the other hand, Sony's competitor, Microsoft, seemed to be absent (almost, with Spelunky), even when there was an opportunity. It's intriguing to learn that a fascinating concept for an episode existed, envisioning a crossover between Master Chief and the Doom Slayer. Unfortunately, it was apparently rejected by Microsoft, as shared by the series' creator:
"I get annoyed when I read posts declaring, ‘These fools picked Spelunky when they could have picked Halo’ or something similar. I'm like, ‘Guidance, are you guys aware that we did speak to Halo?’" shared Tim Miller.
Dave Wilson, the director, added:
"Our friend in charge at id Software and Microsoft were both cool with us. One of the things Tim and I wished to accomplish was something beyond the regular, like crossovers. We envisioned a Master Chief/Doom Slayer crossover episode, and I dedicated an entire weekend composing a passionate letter reminiscing over my childhood memories. And that's exactly what Tim mentioned; 'Nah'."
Usually, rejection occurs under the guise of “brand safety”, whether a company wants to maintain control over how their IP is portrayed or not. However, this choice appears questionable. Doom has its upcoming game, The Dark Ages, scheduled for 2025, while Master Chief could use a win following Halo's recent setbacks.
- Halo Infinite was postponed for a year and poorly received at launch, with subsequent improvements to its multiplayer but lackluster attention overall.
- Halo has been absent from Microsoft's lineup of future game demos, and despite ongoing development work, we remain uncertain about Master Chief's return before the end of the decade.
- The most significant exposure for Master Chief came via the abysmal live-action series, which was canceled after two seasons and criticized by fans for numerous inaccuracies, including a John-117 constantly without his helmet and armor.
A Master Chief/Doom Slayer crossover? Given the potential, it's a no-brainer in my book. Now that Level Unknown has gained acclaim, I hope Microsoft reconsiders this concept for future installments.
Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky, and Instagram.
Pick up my sci-fi novels, the Herokiller series and the Earthborn Trilogy.
In light of Tim Miller's shared disappointing news about a potential Master Chief and Doom Slayer crossover being rejected by Microsoft, a secret level featuring this collaboration would have been an exciting addition to Level Unknown. Such a secret level, embracing crossovers beyond the regular, could have brought new life to both franchises.
Despite the fulfilling series, the absence of a Master Chief/Doom Slayer crossover episode in Level Unknown leaves room for a secret level in potential future installments, considering the unprecedented appeal of such a collaboration.
