‘Secret Level' creator Tim Miller explains how he gets writers to create short stories based on video and role-playing games
Secret Level, which is available to stream on Prime Video, is an animated anthology series that tells standalone short stories based various video games and role-playing games. Among the games that were used as the basis for episodes in the first season were Dungeons & Dragons, Mega Man, New World: Aeternum, Pac-Man, and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. Miller has won three Emmys in Best Short Form Animated Program for Love, Death + Robots in 2019, 2021, and 2022.
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Miller is a longtime lover of short stories and how flexible the format is in allowing one to tell different narratives. He gave an example of how this translated to television by remembering a pitch for a television series he made about lesbian necromancers in space and how the people in the meeting stopped him before he could get any further. However, to pitch something like that for Secret Level wouldn't cause anyone to bat an eye. 'That kind of freedom is impossible to get with the heavy lift of a movie or a series and you have to worry about it being popular to kids, grandmas, moms, dads, and everybody else. We can afford to be niche.'
When looking to what might serve as the basis for episodes in the second season, Miller doesn't divulge any specifics but does demonstrate that there are four categories of games they work with: nostalgia games, indie games, games that are coming out, and games that are currently out and popular. He especially loves the ones that fall into nostalgia because of the memories that they can they can bring back for him. 'Like Pac-Man was the first video game I ever played and so it has meaning to me. I still remember putting that quarter in the slot and so I love the fact that we can kind of go after anything in that regard and sort-of control the narrative and go after what we think is interesting instead of a commercial vibe.'
This article and video are presented by Prime Video.
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Tom's Guide
3 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
I tested the Toniebox and Yoto Player for 2 weeks, and they helped my kids cut down their TV time
The Toniebox offers a lighter, simpler media player, unlocking the door for its many cutesy and beautifully rendered figurines, which are a highlight of this device. The box itself is very durable, bright, and has a satisfying squidginess to it, and even though its audio isn't quite stellar, it's a big hit for younger folk. The Yoto Player delivers a solid audio performance coupled with an adorable lo-fi screen. Its cards keep things simple and pack in a fair bit of media, making them easy to travel with. Its app also offers plenty of control and packs in heaps of free content, representing excellent value. As a busy dad of two, I'm always looking for ways to reduce my children's screen time, which is why kids' audioplayers like the Toniebox and Yoto Player seem like a good proposition. Devoid of a typical display, both allow kids to listen to songs and stories without needing to focus on a screen. They also give them the independence to choose what to play, so parents don't have to worry about YouTube's algorithm going off reservation or their kids turning into TV zombies after long sessions in charge of the remote. While they work in similar ways, the Toniebox and Yoto Player have some key differences, which we'll outline further on. And not only will you read my thoughts on the two devices, you'll also discover what my 6-year-old thinks of them. Plus, do they actually reduce screen time? Toniebox Yoto Player (3rd Gen) Ages 3+ 3-12+ Dimensions 120mm x 120mm x 120mm 110mm x 110mm x 105mm Weight 600g 678g Battery life 7 hours 24+ hours A Toniebox Starter Set is available from the Tonies website for $99.99, with a choice of six colours. Some come bundled with a licensed figure, such as Moana or Spider-Man. Tonies also sell bigger discounted bundles, which is great if you're looking to build your collection quickly. The Tonies figures themselves typically range from $9.99 to $19.99. The third-gen Yoto Player can be yours for $99.99 from the Yoto website and comes with a Welcome Card for overwriting with your own recorded audio. It only comes in a dual white and gray color, though jackets in varying shades are available for an additional $20 when bought together. There's a bit more variance in how much Yoto cards cost, with the cheapest cards starting from around $4 and rising to around $14.99 for more popular compendiums. The Toniebox is the slightly bigger box, which features a tactile, squidgy cube design with a plastic, magnetized top to help secure figurines, LED status square, and asymmetric rubber ears serving as the volume buttons. It's clearly built for some rough and tumble, which I tested immediately when I accidentally dropped it, emerging completely unscathed. You wouldn't want to drop the Yoto Player — its chunkier, all-plastic design feels more fragile. It's got a clean, retro alarm clock look to it, with orange dials on the top corners for volume and track selection, and a card slot on the top. Its key feature is its display, which doesn't play video but pixelated stills — seeing fan favorites like Elmo and Paddington brought to life in vibrant mosaic style is genuinely charming. On the rear is a wedge design for tilting and an integrated nightlight. The Toniebox integrates a minimalist control setup, perfect for smaller kids. Simply place a figurine on the top, and it'll start playing. You're supposed to tap the sides to skip a track or repeat the previous, though it requires a fairly firm tap to acknowledge your input. I tried teaching the technique to my daughter, and while it took a few goes, we eventually got the hang of it. You can also tilt the box to fast forward and rewind. The Yoto Player offers a greater level of control but needs more nuanced inputs. During playback with a card, you can click the dials to track forward or back and twist the left dial to control volume. With a spin of the right dial, you can bring up a track selector, represented onscreen by the card's track number and relevant icon. The power button on the side also doubles as a pause button. The Toniebox does a moderate job in the sound quality department — its single speaker has a comparable volume to the Yoto, but there's a slight muffling in the audio that dampens its crispness. Putting Moana's You're Welcome on, I also noticed a lack of oomph in the rap elements, and audiobooks, while offering decent clarity, do carry some tinniness in the vocals. The Yoto Player's dual speaker setup is the winner here. With the volume cranked up, clarity is excellent for such a diminutive box, and there's even a surprisingly decent bass response — just don't expect it to compete with your Bose. I stuck on Moana: The Songs, and its mid-range notes filled the room with crisp lucidity. Both players work similarly, involving a concealed NFC chip in a figurine or card. Once placed or inserted, the player can determine if the media tied to the chip needs to be downloaded, played from local memory, or streamed via Wi-Fi. With the Toniebox, an attractive prospect for kids is collecting the figurines, particularly the licensed models. Queen Elsa and Moana came with my sample pack, and both models represent excellent detail and quality and near-perfect representations of their big screen counterparts. A word of warning though — keep these figures safe, as if they're lost in a toy box or go walkabout, you won't be able to play that media again. The Yoto gets around this issue with its cards — once downloaded, the media syncs with your phone's app, so you can quickly zap over your kid's favourite story without having to rifle through your card library or control the device directly; handy while on car journeys, for example. Due to their size, neither system is particularly portable, and you'd argue that the Tonies figurines are trickier to haul around. Though the Yoto cards don't offer the aesthetic appeal of the Tonies, they're easier to lug around in a card wallet. There is an impressive array of over 200 Tonies available, including Disney's Encanto, Frozen, and Tangled as well as popular characters from Toy Story, Sesame Street, and Cocomelon. I can see kids wanting to build up a vast collection of them, so they can make for great stocking fillers or smaller gifts from relatives. One licensed figurine generally crams in between 30 and 60 minutes of audio. And while the Frozen figure features an abridged story, it would have been nice to pack in a few extra songs than the four included for $20. It's also worth pointing out that not all Tonies feature their film's original songs, instead sung by different vocalists. I was slightly disappointed this was the case, seeing as the company has gone to great lengths to ensure their figurines look authentic. Both the Moana and Frozen tracks feature alternate singers, though Encanto does carry the original vocals, so it's worth checking out product previews to hear what you're getting. That said, while it might cause some uncanny feelings in parents, having different vocals didn't perturb my daughter at all, and she was content playing through all of them. Yoto also carries popular favourites such as Frozen, Moana, and Peppa Pig. While their cards have fewer of the Disney brands, they have much more expansive audiobook selection, with Paddington, The Gruffalo, and the works of Julia Donaldson and Roald Dahl on their roster. The choice is staggering too, with over 1,200 storybooks, music albums, and compilations available. These cards might not be as exciting as the Tonies, but the range means they can suit younger and older kids. I also checked with Yoto HQ, and they confirmed that all their Disney range features the original vocalists on its licensed songs. Another difference is that while the Tonies generally feature a handful of songs plus a shortened story, the Yoto splits them up, selling one card with more songs and another packing in a longer story — both Encanto cards are $14.99. So really, it's a toss-up between the Tonies figurine with less content, and the Yoto card with more. As the Toniebox emphasizes user independence, there's no way to control playback via smartphone app, but you can check out Tonies for sale, review the Tonies you've registered, adjust volume limits and record your own audio. There's also a Free section that carries a decent selection of audiobook samples and free songs and books. The app is looks very clean and is very easily navigable. The Yoto app handily carries all of the media that's tied to your account, so you can operate it like a remote for your player. It also has a create studio feature and news section for product announcements. The standout feature is the Discover section, which has a host of sleep sounds, free podcasts, and exclusive radio stations, giving it a big boost to its value offering. The app itself can be a little trickier to navigate due to its many sections, but most won't have any issues. The Toniebox yields around 7 hours on a single charge. It relies on a bespoke charging base rather than USB-C, so you'll need to remember to pack that if you're on the road. The Yoto Player handily accepts USB-C charging and delivers over 24 hours of playback. Unsurprisingly, my six-year-old was immediately drawn to the Tonies. She loved the songs, figures, and design and squidgyness of the Toniebox. As stated before, when I questioned the use of alternate vocals, she didn't mind at all. And while it took a few goes to get the skipping tracks tap technique right, she enjoyed the tactile experience. She also liked the Yoto Player — albeit to a lesser extent — particularly its cute, pixelated display that she said was very colorful. At the age of six, however, she was more interested in the licensed content that she knew of, rather than giving new stuff a chance. We've been testing both for nearly two weeks, and she's only been too happy to slot in a card or figurine and have a big sing-off with Queen Elsa, Mirabel, and co. Importantly, getting her off the TV has felt less of a chore, and it's great that she's engaging so well with the licensed content. With all that said, in my daughter's view, the Toniebox emerges victorious. Both the Toniebox and Yoto Player have a lot to offer for kids, and their media libraries are extensive. Importantly, both represent a novel way for them to take charge of their media consumption and are much safer and appropriate than letting them loose on an iPad or YouTube. It can be all too easy for them to be hooked on screens these days, so having these devices around is beneficial to give their eyes a rest and get their imaginations flowing. Just be aware that investing in either device locks you into an ecosystem of having to buy more and more figurines and cards, and at around $10-20 a pop, costs can soon spiral. Younger kids will no doubt prefer the colorful Toniebox and its exciting range of gorgeous figurines. With that said, older kids, particularly preteens, will get a lot of enjoyment out of discovering newer books and free content with the Yoto Player. For its functions, superior audio performance, and longevity, the Yoto gets my vote, but there's no denying the Toniebox's vibrant appeal among smaller audiences, including my 6-year-old.
Tom's Guide
4 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
New on Prime Video in August 2025 — all the new shows and movies to stream this month
A new month means there's a smorgasbord of new Prime Video titles arriving on Amazon's popular streaming service. There's plenty to get excited about with Prime Video's August 2025 lineup. That's why we've laid out a comprehensive list of everything arriving on Prime Video this month. We've also spotlighted a few standout picks you won't want to miss, including the fourth and final season of Prime Video's sci-fi dramedy "Upload," the Oscar-winning "Conclave" and a new crime comedy starring Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson. Not in the mood for these picks? Be sure to check out our curated guides to the best movies and shows currently on Prime Video for even more streaming recommendations. Now let's dive into everything new coming to Prime Video this August. Prime Video is following the success of "Heads of State" with an explosive new action comedy starring Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson and Keke Palmer this month. "The Pickup" looks like a funny enough comedy caper, one that fans of last summer's "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F" or "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" will no doubt want to check out. Murphy and Davidson team up as a pair of armored truck drivers who get in way over their heads after a routine cash pickup goes horribly wrong. While en route to their destination, they're targeted by dangerous criminals. After a wild chase, the hijackers' savvy leader, Zoe (Keke Palmer), reveals their plans go way beyond the cash cargo. As chaos erupts around them, the mismatched pair must navigate life-threatening dangers, clashing personalities, and the day from hell that just keeps getting worse. Stream 'The Pickup' on Prime Video from August 6 Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar-winner "Conclave" is one movie I did not expect to love as much as I did. I put it on to pass the time during a trans-Atlantic flight earlier this year, and even half-asleep, watching from a teeny, tiny screen, I was glued from start to finish. I'm only half-joking when I describe it as "Mean Girls" at the Vatican, and I'm dead serious when I say it's got some of the top performances of Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci's careers. When the sudden death of the pope sparks a high-stakes election to choose his successor, Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Fiennes) is tapped to lead the proceedings just as he's wrestling with his own crisis of faith. As the four favored candidates each outline their pitch for the church's future, Lawrence stumbles upon some shocking secrets hidden by the late pope — revelations that not only threaten to upend the election but could rock the very foundations of the Church. "Conclave's" all-star cast, compelling mystery, and Lawrence's affecting personal journey make this one Oscar winner I firmly believe everyone should watch. Stream 'Conclave' on Prime Video from August 9 "Upload" is one Prime Video original I haven't checked out yet, but given that it's created by "The Office" alum Greg Daniels, it's definitely earned a spot on my watchlist. Set in the not-so-far future of 2033, this sci-fi dramedy series imagines a world where people can upload their consciousness into a digital afterlife of their choosing. When computer programmer Nathan Brown (Robbie Amell) dies in a tragic accident, he's uploaded to the luxurious virtual world of Lakeview thanks to his controlling, still-living girlfriend, Ingrid (Allegra Edwards). As he adjusts to his strange new reality, he begins to suspect there's more to his death than he was led to believe. In season 4, the cast will contend with a sentient AI threatening to wipe out Lakeview and the world. With just four episodes to pull off one of the show's most ambitious storylines yet, each installment promises to be packed with high-stakes tension, drama, and plenty of the series' signature wit. Stream 'Upload' season 4 on Prime Video from August 25 WNBA Thursday, August 7 at 6 p.m. ET: Atlanta Dream vs. Chicago Sky Thursday, August 7 at 8 p.m. ET: Phoenix Mercury vs. Indiana Fever Thursday, August 21 at 5 p.m. ET: Chicago Sky vs. New York Liberty Thursday, August 21 at 8 p.m. ET: Phoenix Mercury vs. Las Vegas Aces Thursday, August 28 at 5 p.m. ET: Washington Mystics vs. New York Liberty Thursday, August 28 at 8 p.m. ET: Chicago Sky vs. Phoenix Mercury AUGUST 13 'Butterfly" Season 1 'Sausage Party: Foodtopia" Season 2 AUGUST 22 '007: Road to a Million" Season 2 AUGUST 25 "Upload" Season 4 AUGUST 27 "The Terminal List: Dark Wolf" Season 1 AUGUST 1 'The Addams Family 2' 'Beauty and the Beast' 'Built in Birmingham: Brady & the Blues' 'The Chocolate War' 'If I Stay' 'Killer Klowns From Outer Space' 'Licorice Pizza' 'Lord of the Flies' 'Return to Treasure Island' 'Sherlock Gnomes' 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2' AUGUST 4 'Hellboy: The Crooked Man' 'The Wolf of Wall Street' AUGUST 6 'Den of Thieves' 'The Pickup' AUGUST 7 'The Croods: A New Age' AUGUST 8 'Daredevil' 'Elektra' AUGUST 9 'Conclave' AUGUST 11 'Top End Wedding' AUGUST 14 'Flight Risk' AUGUST 15 'Den of Thieves 2' 'The Siege at Thorn High' AUGUST 16 'Werewolves' AUGUST 18 'Red Right Hand' AUGUST 20 'John Wick' 'The Map That Leads to You' AUGUST 25 'Slingshot'
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Billy Joel reflects on what he learned from relationship with Christie Brinkley after ‘devastating' divorce
Billy Joel has divulged what it was like to fall in love with his second wife, Christie Brinkley. In part two of the 'Piano Man' singer's HBO documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, the two exes discussed what their relationship was like when they first started dating. The former couple first met in 1983 while on vacation in St. Barts. After discovering they both lived in New York City, they made plans to keep in touch and went on their first date to a Beach Boys concert. 'Here I am dating this beautiful supermodel and... me? I'm from Hicksville. What am I doing with her? What's she doing with me? But that was a very productive time for me,' Joel, 76, said in the documentary of his Long Island, New York upbringing. 'I wrote a lot of songs for her. She was a muse.' He continued, 'It was like being a teenager all over again. Experiencing those same emotions that I had when I was first discovering romance and love.' Brinkley said that while their 'whirlwind romance' was 'just so much fun' during the first few years, she noted the turning point was in 1989 when Joel released his 'I Go to Extreme' single. Describing the song, Brinkley said it reflected her husband 'boomeranging between being a family man and tortured artist' as he would sneak away in the middle of the night to drink. That same year, the 'Vienna' singer filed a $90 million fraud and breach of contract lawsuit against his former manager, Frank Weber. To regain the money, Joel had to adjust his tour, which further drove the wedge between Brinkley and their daughter Alexa. 'I was in a relationship with someone who I cared deeply about. But I was not able to be at home. I was not able to be with my family. It was a very sad time for me,' the 'Uptown Girl' singer said. 'I realized love is not concrete. You feel like it is, but there are things eating away at it. And in the end, it all catches up. It's hard. I was so devastated.' 'He said, 'Yeah, fine, go.' I tried. I wanted it to work,' Brinkley recalled one of their final fights. 'I knew how lucky I was, having music and all of that. But it just didn't work.' The two divorced in 1994 after being married for nine years. Joel went on to marry twice more for a total of four wives. He remains with Alexis Roderick, whom he married in 2015. They share two daughters: Della, 9, and Remy, 7. Brinkley has been married four times but remains closest to Joel and named her new memoir, 'Uptown Girl,' after the hit 1983 song inspired in part by her. She, too, has opened up about being with Joel. Brinkley told Page Six earlier this year: 'To be clear, I never wanted to end things with Billy,' she said. 'I read every self-help book I could find … we went to see a string of psychiatrists, psychologists and other medical doctors.' Brinkley also said she and Joel 'were probably really soulmates. It was an amazing time of my life.' Part two of Billy Joel: And So It Goes premieres Friday on HBO.
