Secret Level's Pac-Man episode had one big request from developers: "We would like the audiences to wonder, 'What the f*ck did they do to Pac-Man?'"
Dec. 10, 2024Exclusive: Secret Level producer Dave Wilson shares some insight on the weird and wonderful Pac-Man episode
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The first episodes of Amazon’s Secret Level have been released and they contain a real mixed bag of game adaptations. However, probably the most out-there is the Pac-Man episode that turns the beloved game into essentially a mini horror movie.
Speaking to GamesRadar+, Secret Level’s executive producer Dave Wilson said the shake-up to the traditional game was spawned by a meeting with the developers. “We just took that and sort of disemboweled what Pac-Man is meant to be,” he explains. “They challenged us, the developers. The developers hopped on a call with us and were like – mind you, this was a translator saying this – ‘We would like the audiences to wonder, “What the fuck did they do to Pac Man?"’ So it’s not just our responsibility when audiences watch it. But in that case, it’s like, I think people have enough knowledge of what Pac-Man is that we can take some risks.”
The episode, titled ‘Circle’, follows The Swordsman who is a creature trapped in a labyrinth. He has no memories of who he was before and his only interaction is with a small floating sphere that informs him that the only way to escape is to grow stronger by eating – or he will be eaten.
Wilson said they were pitched a lot of ideas for the Pac-Man episode, but there was one that really stood out. “We got a lot of great ideas, but some of them were exactly what you would think a Pac-Man episode would be, and we kept feeling like we’re not pushing the limits of what this is,” he continues, explaining that it was JT Petty who eventually came up with the unique concept, inspired by his love of horror.
Secret Level is airing on Prime Video now. For more on the show, check out our stories onthe Warhammer episode and crossover with Henry Cavill’s series, why theynever considered pulling the Concord episode, andhow Keanu Reeves got involved.
We also have aSecret Level reviewand a breakdown of all thebest shows on Prime Videoto stream now.
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I’m the Deputy Entertainment Editor here at GamesRadar+, covering TV and film for the Total Film and SFX sections online. I previously worked as a Senior Showbiz Reporter and SEO TV reporter at Express Online for three years. I’ve also written for The Resident magazines and Amateur Photographer, before specializing in entertainment.
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