When it comes to rebooting beloved TV shows things can go awry easily, but sometimes the risk is worth it, especially if a reboot could bring the story to a whole new audience. In an age where female superheroes are finally coming into their own on the small screen, it is time for a The Secret World of Alex Mack reboot. No, I'm not talking about the further adventures of adult Alex, but, rather, a straight reboot of the series for pre-teen viewers and nostalgic adults.
This might raise alarm bells for people who grew up with the show. There is always the worry that a reboot just won't do the original justice, but right now is the perfect time to reintroduce Alex Mack to the world. The series was a cult classic when it was on, so its original fanbase is a small, but passionate group who I think would be happy to share a modern Alex's journey with a new generation.
In many ways, Alex Mack was ahead of its time. The layered, conspiracy theory storytelling, the strong female leads, and the use of metaphors to explain how transitioning from elementary to middle school can be a stressful, confusing time are all well-suited to savvy youngsters today. The world needs Alex Mack now more than ever, and here are 11 reasons why it is time for a reboot.
1. Alex Is A Complex Role Model
Alex was not perfect, and the importance of that aspect of her personality cannot be overstated. She had a good heart and was loyal to her friends, but she struggled with how to use her powers. She never became an actual superhero, although she was powerful after that infamous toxic spill, and having her discover her strengths and weaknesses as a person was some of the show's best material.
2. The Conspiracy Story Could Be Fleshed Out
The evil corporation that manufactured GC-161, the chemical that gave Alex her powers, deserves further exploration. Exploring their intentions for the chemical, as well as their pursuit of Alex could be done in a more in depth manner. The conspiracy was fun in the original, but it could become an even bigger part of a modern remake.
The Secret World of Alex Mack is an American television series that ran on Nickelodeon from October 8, 1994 to January 15, 1998, replacing Clarissa Explains It All on the SNICK line-up. It also aired on YTV in Canada and NHK in Japan, and was a staple in the children's weekday line-up for much of the mid-to-late 1990s on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The Secret World of Alex Mack was a live-action show which aired on Nickelodeon and told the story of Alex Mack (Larisa Oleynik), a young girl who lives with her parents and older sister in a planned community owned by a chemical plant, where her parents work. She has a bad first day at her new school, and to make matters worse, a truck from the plant crashes and drenches her in a top-secret. Secret World Legends will relaunch with the original eight adventure playfields, scenarios, and dungeons available immediately. In the time following the relaunch, we will release Tokyo, Nightmare Dungeons, Raids, and the rest of the content that is currently live in The Secret World.
3. Annie Is The STEM Hero Girls Need
Alex's sister Annie is an amazing STEM role model. She is devoted to science, and approaches Alex's situation both as a sister and a scientist. She uses her skills to document Alex's reactions to GC-161 and performs experiments to make sure Alex is safe. She is the kind of cool, confident female scientist who could inspire young women to pursue STEM subjects just by being herself.
4. The Special Effects Would Be Seriously Upgraded
I swear, I am not a special effects snob, but can you imagine how cool Alex's powers would look now given how far technology has advanced? The morphing into a puddle move could be particularly spectacular.
5. The World Needs More Sci-Fi Shows Aimed At Young Women
There are precious few sci-fi shows aimed at kids these days, and even fewer with female leads. Alex Mack was an amazing sci-fi show that acted as the perfect gateway for young women to see how sci-fi storytelling could relate to their lives. Alex Mack could do for the next generation what she did for the lucky millennials who adored her story.
6. Larisa Oleynik Deserves To Make A Comeback
Your '90s queen and mine, Oleynik would have to have a role in the reboot. However, instead of playing Alex, wouldn't it be delicious to see Oleynik step into the role of CEO of the Paradise Valley Chemical Plant, Danielle Atron? Seeing Oleynik become the show's villain would be the ultimate treat for original fans.
7. Social Media Would Add A Whole New Layer To The Story
In the age of the Internet, Alex's plight to keep her secret would become so much harder, but, at the same time, the internet would be an invaluable resource for Annie and Alex as they documented Alex's powers and researched the chemical plant. Adding hacker to Annie's list of skills would only make her cooler.
8. Alex Challenges Gender Norms
In the '90s, Alex was simply considered a tomboy, but the character actually challenged gender norms in a way that would resonate with the more socially savvy youth of today. From Alex's choice of clothes and love of sports to her interest in boys, Alex proved there was no one way girls should be, and a message that powerful should be shared across generations.
9. Alex's Powers Could Lead To Amazing Character Growth
I respect the original show for not turning Alex into a cape wearing superhero, but I do think there's more story to be told about a young woman on the brink of becoming a teenager realizing she possesses an amazing amount of power. Watching Alex grow into her abilities and learning how to harness them would make for amazing TV.
10. Every Generation Deserves A Chance To Ship Alex/Ray
It's a rite of passage, guys.
11. Alex's Journey Still Resonates
Alex's journey from a confused kid to a super powered teen is one that will always be relevant. It's a coming of age story, and while the technology could use an update, Alex as a character is universal. A reboot would work because Alex is someone every kid would relate to, and every adult would remember relating to.
Alex Mack needs to make a comeback, ASAP. Someone tell Nickelodeon the world is ready for more Alex.
Image: Nickelodeon; Giphy (5); fyeahalexmack(4), captureyourimagination/Tumblr
We are relaunching our acclaimed story-driven online game The Secret World (TSW) as Secret World Legends, a shared-world action RPG with revamped combat, updated visuals, and newly designed progression systems and quest flow that is completely free to play.
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YES! Join the discussion on our official forums HERE!
Secret World Legends launched on June 26th, with availability on Steam on July 31st.
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We go into detail about the many reasons behind the relaunch of the game in our producer's letter to the community, which we hope you get a chance to read HERE!
But in short, we're incredibly proud of the ways in which The Secret World has grown in terms of the depth and extent of its storytelling, and we're ready for more players to be able to experience it in full by removing the hurdles of a pay-upfront structure. It's also an opportune moment to bring this vibrant universe up to date with where we see modern action RPGs are, with some ambitious adjustments to gameplay, progression, structure, and more, which we hope will result in a more satisfying player experience overall.
One major difference is that the game is free to play for everyone. But just as importantly, Secret World Legends has updates befitting a modern-day action RPG. This includes a redesigned combat system to make action feel more natural, more intuitive systems to interact with, enhanced visuals, an improved flow of quests, and improved structure of the early game for new players.
'Free to play' or F2P means that anyone can download and play Secret World Legends without spending any money to purchase the game. All content is available to everyone and does NOT require a subscription or purchase in order to play.
Yes! Everyone can play what we feel is the best shared-world RPG on the market for free!
When Secret World Legends launches, you will be able to download and play the game for free via the Steam client.
All content will be free: current, past, and future!
No. You will be able to earn everything in the game without spending money.
You do NOT need a credit card to play. The game is free for everyone! Aurum and the Patron Benefit system will require a valid form of payment at the time you make the purchase.
Aurum is used to purchase a variety of in-game items and services in Secret World Legends. This includes but is not limited to: additional weapon pages, extra inventory space, additional characters, exclusive vanity items, and much more!
Marks of Favour are an in-game currency that are earned for free through completing daily challenges. Marks of Favour are used for many things including, but not limited to, unlocking weapon pages, extra Sprint speed upgrades, empowerment and fusion, and more.
The exchange allows you to trade Marks of Favour, which are earned for free, with Aurum--and vice-versa.
Each account has access to one character slot. Additional character slots may be purchased in game.
Players that used the original TSW Legacy Transfer service on or before September 4th, 2017 will have three total character slots. The Legacy Transfer service no longer grants additional character slots. Read here for details.
Secret World Legends is fully localized in English, German, and French.
Secret World Legends launches on Steam on Monday, July 31 2017.
When Secret World Legends launches on Steam on July 31st, you will be able to download the Steam version of the client (game) and start playing from there!
Please be aware that the Steam version of the client is separate from the Funcom client and are downloaded separately.
Yes! Both versions of the game connect to the same servers, so you can still play with your friends even if you're on Steam and they are not.
Yes! If you play Secret World Legends on Steam, you use the Steam Wallet for any purchase you want to make. Please note that all purchases made through the Steam version must use your Steam Wallet.
We plan to allow Secret World Legends to be played in any region that Steam may be used.
You don’t need to do anything special. Download the game on Steam, launch it, and click Play Now when you are in the client!
Steam doesn't know what your SWL account is until you link them! If you start SWL on Steam before you link your accounts, you are taken to a blank character selection screen, as if starting fresh. DON'T PANIC! You haven't lost anything and you haven't been shut out of anything.
You can still log out and go back to your account page and link your account. Because you logged in on Steam before you linked accounts, you will be asked if you want to delete or overwrite your Steam account progress. This is fine, since all you're doing is replacing what Steam tried to make for you with your actual account.
If you created a new SWL account, then you do not need to play on Steam.
If you are playing on a SWL account that was copied from a The Secret World (TSW) account that was purchased on Steam, you will be required to play the game from Steam. If you wish to play with the Funcom client instead of the Steam client, you can convert your SWL Steam account to a Funcom account on the account page.
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Please be advised that this process cannot be reverted, and once you have made the account a Funcom account it cannot be linked to a Steam account in the future.
You don’t need to do anything special. Download the game on Steam, launch it, and click Play Now when you are in the client! If you wish to use the TSW Legacy Transfer, you can find the instructions here.
Your account has already been linked to your Steam account. You will be automatically logged into the account when you launch the game via Steam. If you do not want to play on Steam, you may convert your SWL Steam account to a Funcom Account. Go to the account page, sign in, and click the 'Convert to Funcom Account' link.
Please be advised that this process cannot be reverted, and once you have made the account a Funcom account it cannot be linked to a Steam account in the future.
If you have already played Secret World Legends but did not own TSW on Steam, you have the option to play via Steam. Please be aware that this process cannot be undone and you will ONLY be able to play from Steam once you have converted your account. To convert to a Steam Account log into the account page and click the 'Convert to Steam Account' link.
If your TSW account was in good standing, then we have made a Secret World Legends account for you already. If you have forgotten the username or password, you can reset these at the account page.
You can convert this account to a Steam Account. Please be aware that this process cannot be undone and you will ONLY be able to play from Steam once you have converted your account. To convert to a Steam Account log into the account page and click the 'Convert to Steam Account' link.
If you wish to use the TSW Legacy Transfer, you can find the instructions here.
If you had more than one SWL account associated to a Steam account, we have unlinked all of your accounts. If you want to play one of them on Steam, you can convert your account to a Steam Account. Please be aware that this process cannot be undone and you will ONLY be able to play from Steam once you have converted your account. To convert to a Steam Account log into the account page and click the 'Convert to Steam Account' link.
Also be aware that only ONE SWL account can be linked to a Steam Account.
The Patron Rewards Program is a loyalty program that rewards players with extra features, additional convenience, and in-game bonuses. It is not required in order to play Secret World Legends.
You can purchase access to the Patron Rewards Program in game. Look for the above icon in the top left of your screen and click it. That will open a window that lists Patron Benefits and allows you to purchase Patron time. Once purchased, you will be granted access to the Patron Rewards Program for 30 days.
All benefits associated with the program are active while you are a Patron. When your time expires, you will lose access to those bonuses.
We go into detail about the many reasons behind the relaunch of the game in our producer's letter to the community, which we hope you get a chance to read HERE!
But in short, we're incredibly proud of the ways in which The Secret World has grown in terms of the depth and extent of its storytelling, and we're ready for more players to be able to experience it in full by removing the hurdles of a pay-upfront structure. It's also an opportune moment to bring this vibrant universe up to date with where we see modern action RPGs are, with some ambitious adjustments to gameplay, progression, structure, and more, which we hope will result in a more satisfying player experience overall.
One major difference is that the game is free to play for everyone. But just as importantly, Secret World Legends has updates befitting a modern-day action RPG. This includes a redesigned combat system to make action feel more natural, more intuitive systems to interact with, enhanced visuals, an improved flow of quests, and improved structure of the early game for new players.
Secret World Legends will relaunch with the original eight adventure playfields, scenarios, and dungeons available immediately. In the time following the relaunch, we will release Tokyo, Nightmare Dungeons, Raids, and the rest of the content that is currently live in The Secret World.
We have plans to create all-new story-driven content for Secret World Legends in the future, which we'll be able to discuss in more detail after the relaunch of the game.
The TSW Legacy Transfer system allows you to link your TSW account with your Secret World Legends account, copying any remaining Membership time as well as most clothing items, pets, sprints, and emotes you had learned on your character. This service will be available until September 4th, 2017.
For more details on how the TSW Legacy Transfer works, please read here: https://secretworldlegends.com/news/legacy-transfers/
When you link your account, you will be able to copy over any remaining membership from TSW to Secret World Legends. In addition, you will be able to copy over some vanity items from the previous game. You can also exchange your Funcom Points for Aurum.
After you have linked your account, your old TSW subscription will roll over into Patron Rewards Program time in Secret World Legends.
Same as above. Link your Secret World Legends account to your old TSW account and you will become a Patron in Secret World Legends forever!
Yes, the TSW servers will still be available to play. You will not be able to launch TSW via Steam though. If you are currently playing on Steam and want to continue after the launch of Secret World Legends, you can do so at: https://register.thesecretworld.com/account
Yes, everyone will begin Secret World Legends with a new character. Secret World Legends makes some major changes to itemization and character progression that aren't compatible with the old game.
They'll continue to live on the old TSW servers, so you'll still be able to log in and play them. You will not be able to play them on the new Secret World Legends server though. It’s a new experience and fresh start for everyone.
Prior to the launch of Secret World Legends, we offered the ability for players to reserve one character name from TSW. This service is no longer available and no character names from TSW are able to be reserved at this time.
In the near future, we will allow you to convert your Funcom Points to Aurum. More details on this will be released soon! Bonus points will remain in TSW and can be used on the old server.
Definitely! Secret World Legends is free and available for everyone to play.