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Crystal Maze

Format

Originally, Chatsworth TV aims to make a British version of the show French Fort Boyard, but when it became clear that the fort would not be available at the time of the pilot, the creator of Fort Boyard, Jacques Antoine has been consulted on the development of an alternative format that could be turned elsewhere. Accordingly, the show ended up using a similar concept in Fort Boyard, but was significantly different in presentation and style. It was filmed on a very wide, Originally stage H at Shepperton Studios, but in later series, a suitable aircraft hangar named Aces High Studios, Aerodrome North Weald in Essex. A UK version of Fort Boyard was finally made by five, long after Channel 4 terminated the Crystal Maze.

The set was divided into four "zones" (originally Aztec, Futuristic, Medieval and industrial industrial has been replaced by the ocean from the following four series), and the crystal dome, crystal giant geometric acrylic glass (See the title card on the right) at the center of the labyrinth, where the teams play their final challenge after playing games in each of the four zones.

In each episode, a team of three men and three women (including a captain and vice-captain) would enter the "labyrinth" from a pre-determined area, and play three or four sets of different types in each zone before entering the crystal dome. The Teams have been established by individual applicants Chatsworth, only to meet for the first time the day before shooting their episode, unlike the UK version of Fort Boyard was eventually made a few years later, in which teams of application and played teams.

The aim of the exhibition was to raise as many crystals of time "as possible (this is the size of golf balls in Swarovski crystals glass) by playing games in each Zone, each game played successfully gain crystal time '. " When the team reached the dome of crystal, they had to collect the most tokens "or many as possible to win a prize. Each crystal that the team won earlier would allow them five seconds time in the Dome to collect tokens, then the crystals over the team won in the areas, more time and therefore the best chance they had to obtain a high number of gold symbolic.

Before every game in a zone, the captain of the team (or vice-captain should be The captain locked in) would choose a candidate for play and what kind of challenge the game would be. Games have been classified as physical, mental skills or mystery. They are usually puzzle games, often involving dexterity (especially games of skill). The member of the team chosen will be sent in a room playing a game and their teammates could advise them outside (except in certain Mental games where the team would be instructed not to give, although general encouragement could still be shouted in). Successfully tackling the puzzle would release a crystal. In the first series, the master of game selection and candidate was genuine series later, it was not a free choice and has been "driven" team by the production team.

Each game has a period of two years, two years and a half or three minutes. If the applicant has failed to leave the room in time, they would be "locked in." In some games, known as "lock automatic "games, the candidate may also be locked in by an offense, for example by touching the ground if it was banned for this game, or by placing an "alarm" on three occasions. A few games do not allow candidates to exit without winning the crystal, which usually occurs by the crystal free accessible, but require an enigma to exit. Candidates who have been "trapped" were unable to play more gamesor enter in Domenless Crystal captain chose to purchase the freedom of a competitor at the cost of earned before crystal, which could be done at any time after the lock-in.

Buy a "locked-in" participant needed another team member to take physical a crystal in the room where the candidate has been locked, leaving the crystal in exchange he bought out of their colleague. As has sometimes been a long trip, she actually took a second candidate of action for several games, so the timing was important. If candidates do not join the team time, they would both be excluded from the final Crystal Dome: a danger which has been reported in several episodes, but this actually happened. If the captain was locked, the vice-captain took over until he or she chose to purchase the freedom of the master. In really uncommon for the captain and vice captain have been locked in a new captain would be elected locally.

After competing in the four areas competitors have not entered the crystal dome, a replica 16-foot high crystal time "surrounded by a ditch of seven feet circular and entered by a range of three feet "drawbridge", which was retracted hydraulic Once the team was inside. Similarly, one of the gable of the Duomo was hydraulically opens and closes to let the team, then lock inward. Inside the dome, gold and silver tickets companies 'chips' sheet were released into the air under the floor toasting six big fans mounted on a giant turntable slowly, leading to O'Brien slogan, delivered in a cod American accent: "Would you start the fans, please! ". Tudor Pole or develop different intros, such as" What the strong winds blow!

After Many experiments with samples of dozens of different leaves, the production team found one that worked correctly in the dome is not falling to the ground and stay there, blowing directly on top of the Dome and to remain, or "stick" to wall panels. Unfortunately, this material paper-like has been made of silver, then gold tokens were actually those of money that have been sprayed with gold paint by the production team.

Inside the cathedral, and after the fans and platinum rose to speed with all the chips that swirls around, The team's objective was to retrieve tokens from the air and display them in a size roughly brick clear plastic container house rose to waist level on the outside of one panel of the dome. Tudor-Pole called The Pyramid cosmic simply called O'Brien He's mailbox. The container had a door pneumatically inside, marked with a red cross-shaped saltire cross, which opened time collection started and closed when the time was up. The team had raised more than 100 gold coins to win, but each token money collected would cancel a gold token. Therefore, the team had to collect 100 gold coins more than silver. In two series, a gold and silver gauge appears on the screen while the team played in the Dome, so viewers could see how many tokens of gold and silver candidates had gathered. It was abandoned in three sets to go.

The ratio of money with chips of gold in the Dome was five to four, and gold coins have been very difficult to tell those money blowing Inside the Dome, particularly since the paint on the "gold coins" tend to flake, even if none of these details have been obvious to the viewer. The shape and size of the Dome meant that all the sounds in it (including the voice of a competitor!) Seems from a single point about ten feet above ground mesh, the Dome, and directly above its center. This could be confusing for applicants.

In the first series, a final balance of 50-99 gold coins right team members to a "runner-up in prices, but it was abandoned in later series. Originally, it was also expected to offer a "double or nothing" game of chance for the winning teams 50-99 gold tokens. This consisted of a wire "small" model of the crystal dome with pieces removed, which the team (if they agreed bet) would re-assemble within. However, the Gamble Game idea was abandoned shortly before the first series was filmed.

The original price was updated individual adventure, like a flight in a Tiger Moth or a day of mud clogging, and candidates have chosen their own gold and silver prices degree off set, just before filming the crystal dome, part of the show. From four rounds, contestants would choose a price single (usually once-in-a-lifetime travel adventures) shared by the entire team. The winning teams were rare, a watch how much of a challenge, the show actually was, or, as many observers say, a reflection on the types of candidates that were selected for the show. All players who participated won a crystal commemorative saying "I cracked the Crystal Maze, 1990-5," despite the fact that the vast majority failed.

Areas

The four areas in the maze also varied in terms of two games and put in Aztec Medieval and have been in the distant past, the industry was modern and futuristic in the future. The area of the ocean has replaced the Industrial Area following four sets. The teams started their game in one of the areas and have progressed in clockwise or counterclockwise in the labyrinth which means that the team would rotate among the zones past and modern.

map Crystal Maze

A computerized scheme the Crystal Maze was produced and displayed as the team traveled through the maze. The scheme was a copy of the actual production design and floor plan of the whole. Two versions were created, one for the series 1-3 and one for the series 4-6: Change is necessary for the new zone of the ocean. In both cases, the map zoomed in for each area.

Map used for the series 1-3

Series 1-3: The pattern consisted of a black background with zones formed from the lines of color:

Industrial was purple

Aztec Yellow

Futuristic was blue

Medieval was green

The dome of white crystal was

The current location of the team in the labyrinth was shown by a single red dot, which could be placed in many locations on the map, there including the various areas which fall into the barriers between areas or even outside of the card once or twice in the Aztec area. Sometimes none at all has been shown for the Aztec area. The crystal dome had no dowry and a little expanded after a few seconds. In addition, the card can sometimes be shown twice for the same area, with the first obstacle and the second zone. The map can zoom in at any time however.

Card used during the series 4-6

Series 4-6: The diagram is composed of a background with multicolored zones formed from colored areas met:

Ocean was blue

Aztec was yellow

Futuristic was gray

Medieval was green

Crystal dome was white with blue water

The Place of the team in the labyrinth was shown by a positioning system radar. Unlike the series 1-3 map, the locator had fixed positions in the areas and do not venture into the barriers. The Crystal Dome also had this type of location.

In both cases, the map zoomed in on each area and the Dome. The angle used to zoom in on each area was different: some just panned down, others have done a full scan of 180 degrees angle to show the area of the back. Each time the card zoom, all other areas and Dome to drift while the individual cells and the obstacles could be seen more clearly. The dome has been different. Its zoom has shown forward very, very steep a pot to be kept for that purpose.

In Round 6 and the Special Kids Christmas 1992, the zoom on areas included an effect sound. In addition, the 1992 Special used the second card for the first time, so different zoom angles were used, and the area of the ocean was also observed for the first time.

Enter the maze

When a team has started the Crystal Maze, they had overcome obstacles to enter their first zone. They are:

Aztec: Row cross a river by canoe

Medieval: Open or climb a harrow

Futuristic: Responding to a question made by the computer

Industrial (Series 1-3): climb over barrels of oil and wire mesh in a space above a door, and / or open doors or door with a key

Ocean (in lieu of the industry series 4-6): Delete a wire rack and down a ladder net

Each episode of the series began with Richard O'Brien 1-4 blow his whistle. In the series 5-6, Ed Tudor Pole used another whistle, but the episode would sometimes start with a distinct sound, it sounded a medieval bell, blowing a conch in Aztec, trigger an alarm in the futuristic (after the question has been answered), and sound a horn ocean mist.

Moving from one area to

When a team has finished their games in an area, they had overcome an obstacle to travel to their next area. The transition has been shown in its entirety during the second change in each zone episode with a commercial break taken during changes in other area. During the transition zone, the underscore mix of music theme was agreed to make the transitions more intense. The transitions were:

Aztec / Industry:

Getting through a long and winding tunnel shaped Z.

Note: Participants often took a long time to go from one end to another. In addition, the tunnel forked in two at a time, with the other fork leads to a deadlock, which sometimes took on competitors.

Aztec Ocean::

Cross Stepping Stones, making their way through SS Atlantis equipment, crawl through a tunnel and then push the gate.

Industrial time medieval

Climb a ladder or stairway then rises

Series 1: – cross a chasm

Series 2-3: – Swing into a chasm

then down the stairs.

Ocean to the Middle Ages:

Climb a ladder, crawling through a small door, then through a tunnel, then descend a staircase

Medieval / Futuristic:

Series 1: – Cross, a bubbling swamp

Series 2: – Walk through a bridge-type spider

Series 04/03: – walking on a balance beam

Series 5-6: – Walk along a rope (cable), while balancing by clinging to a second parallel cable overhead

Futuristic to Aztec:

Hop on a scissors lift, then

Series 1: – Get a reinforced wall

Series 2-6: – Get a reinforced wall with vines

The candidates could only move clockwise or counter-clockwise to one of two areas on either side of their current location. They could not venture out diagonally across the map because the crystal dome has been at the center (see map).

Moving from Final Zone at the Dome

Although the transition team of the final Zone crystal dome has never been shown in completely on the screen, the team would always leave an area by a specific way, in spite of these roads with little or no the geographical proximity of the Dome (in most cases, they have the edge of the map!). In previous rounds of the show, the output of the dome wasn't specific and varied depending on what area of the team were in. However, later in the series, the output usually remained the same.

Aztec: The team out past the column and into the river that was used to enter the labyrinth of Crystal Aztec Zone.

Medieval: During the series 1-4, the team would release most cases by the entrance area and medieval Only on certain occasions they would go out the door at the futuristic area, behind which was the fog and light. In Round 5 and 6, the team would always go out the door.

Industrial: the 1 Series, the team would exit, up the stairs to the medieval area. In series 2 and 3, the team passed the exit portal of the tunnel leading to the Aztec area and exit. Is the only time where the night sky (actually, a backdrop cyclorama painted on the wall of the stage) could be seen from the Industrial Area.

Ocean: Season 4 and 5, the road team has left the dome variety. Sometimes he was using the stairs to the boiler room and other Once she was going upstairs in the main lounge. In Round 6, the team would exit via a panel in the boiler room near the cell cylindrical. Again, this door had a bright light and fog from behind her. This road was one of two that could, in theory, led to nowhere geographically near the Dome.

Futuristic: In the series 1-3, the team goes out the door of the teams that enter in the area. In series 4-6, where a corridor was built from a used door off the main control room, which leads to the other side of the elevator at the Aztec area, exit at the Dome was another door, right through this new door and left wall of the new elevator lobby. The team left at light and fog.

Popularity

The peak performance was around 1991-93, when word of mouth has spread. It was regularly Channel 4 program on the highest observed, mainly in children and young adults, reaching a peak of 7 million viewers from 1993 Christmas special. Christmas promotions have been to address a younger audience, and often featured teams of children, playing edited versions of some of the puzzles are difficult (for make it easier), or easy puzzles designed and manufactured specifically for these shows (which have not been used in the main series).

At the beginning of the 1993 Christmas Special (Series 5), a short film 1min 30sec minutes was shown which featured O'Brien and his "mother" named "Mumsie" (played by Sandra Caron, the younger sister of Alma Cogan Fifties singing star), leaving the labyrinth of a new life with her boyfriend (Dwayne biker new age in appearance, but he has never seen). Mumsie was sighted in the area during the medieval series 1-4, completing a function similar to Tom Baker "Captain" in the UK version of Fort Boyard asking candidates puzzles or puzzles in exchange for a crystal, so responded. Ed Tudor-Pole of the rock band Ten Pole Tudor was then introduced and became the host of the final two sets. Coincidentally, Ed once played Riff-Raff in The Rocky Horror Show, wrote O'Brien. O'Brien himself has also played the role on stage and in film adaptation The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Ed often refers to some companions in the labyrinth, like Bert the horse and the cat Starbuck, and he flirted with the computer in the futuristic zone, which he called Barbara.

When Channel 4's contract with producers expired Chatsworth TV, they did not renew it and the show ended in late 1995. The large group remained in Aces High warehouse until 1999, when it was dismantled. The games were ransacked but many bits are recycled into new games.

Finally, Challenge (a digital channel owned by Virgin Media Television, then known as the Challenge TV) has bought the rights to all six series and 1-6 series often shows throughout the year. The two series presented by Tudor-Pole resumed Challenge February 12, 2007, the balances of the mini began February 5, 2007, in which there were five in total, screened early Christmas episodes adult (From Christmas 1990 to Christmas 1994). That may have something to do with the TFN, another channel available on Virgin and Freeview, indicating the program from January 2007. In January, it could be seen weekdays at 18:00 FTn (moved to 19:00 from 12 February and replaced by gladiators of March 20). On June 4, 2007, the show returns to FTn at 6pm.

The Crystal Maze was named Greatest Game Show in the UK of all time! in polls 2006 by the site UKGameshows.com. Because of its popularity, was introduced in the channel 4-25 season celebration that showed popular shows Channel 4's 25 year history. He has developed a cult following over the years and many devoted fans still campaigning for his return.

theme song

The theme music for The Crystal Maze was written by Lawrence and Zack is entitled to the Force on the ground.

References cultural

In December 1992, the video game publishers Codemasters released "Crystal Kingdom Dizzy", one of the payments in their last success "Dizzy" series. In the last level of the game, Dizzy had to return the lost treasure to its rightful place, but before he could how he had to take on an obstacle course of moving platforms in the water, and collecting crystals and make his way in a parody of program itself. During the course of a look-alike Richard O'Brien said in a legend fast!, Quick!, Get the crystal!. One of his most famous phrases on the emission television.

The Crystal Maze was parodied in a 1994 episode of Marianne and her Merry Men (Series 4, Episode 1 – Tunnel Vision) where the character of Robin Hood playing the role of O'Brien. It was also mentioned in the 2000 movie Dungeons & Dragons, which presented a maze of riddles like, with its owner played by O'Brien. The show has been lampooned on Mary Whitehouse Experience when a group of "competitors" completely failed to fill a cup of tea Thurs

On February 18, 2006, a parody of The Crystal Maze (called mud Crystal) appeared on Dick and Dom in da bungalow, featuring a character named Richard O'Muck. The character played the harmonica at times when participants were asked to focus at most, a parody of antics O'Brien.

The multiplayer online game RuneScape has a Den maze of puzzles called the thief, operated by a character called "Brian O'Richard. When asked about Brian O'Richard Maze claims belongs to "mummsie."

comedy duo Adam and Joe also parodied The Crystal Maze on Channel 4's The Adam and Joe Show with their well-known style of the use of toys. This time, the Crystal Maze was greeted by Yoda. The team was led by Emperor Palpatine and consisted of Jabba the Hutt, Princess Leia, C-3P0 and a drunken Obi-Wan Kenobi. The game has led to the only team to collect a crystal, and the Emperor being so frustrated by the performance of his team terrible, destroyed the dome of crystal with his force powers and said "The pony holiday in Ullswater is mine! .

In the "sex", an episode of the third series of Absolutely Fabulous first broadcast in April 1995, Christopher character, Edina Monsoon Barber, shouting with enthusiasm: "It's like the Crystal Maze! that he and others running in the halls University looking for a videotape.

Spin-offs

Chatsworth Television authorized a number of machines SWP popular slot based on the TV series, originally produced by Barcrest, but now made by JPM. A video game based on The Crystal Maze was published in 1993 by Sherston Software for RISC OS on the Acorn Archimedes, and later for the PC. A quiz machine based on the series was also produced. A board game was also produced based on the show, but based on the concept of players competing against each other rather than the cooperative style the issue.

There was also a paperback version, which contained 12 simple levels, each the same, but a little faster and with killer statues added. It was a platform game function that occurs mainly jumping on different levels (4) through. At the end of each level the player must jump on three mobile platforms and on a wall to get the crystal.

A book-game Choose Your Own Adventure style based in the Crystal Maze was also produced by Mammoth in 1991, in association with Channel 4 Television and Chatsworth. The Crystal Maze – Choose your adventure book.

The Crystal Maze was Cyberdrome attraction is mostly in big bowling and video arcades in the United Kingdom. It allowed fans the opportunity to "play" The Crystal Maze for themselves in a computerized format. There was little difference in the program itself, for example, there is no Choice Player of the game category, and there is no blockage in (instead, failing to leave the game immediately cost the team a crystal). Five of six initial sites were in Great Britain, while the sixth was in Japan. Most mazes have been closed Cyberdrome Crystal since then, but it is still underway near Oakwood Theme Park in Pembrokeshire, Wales] [dated info.

Encounter Zone, a small theme park at door Wafi Mall located in Dubai, has an attraction called "The Crystal Maze", which was inspired by the original television series. Open with rest of the theme park, the attraction has been built thanks to the popularity of television series in the UAE after have been run and restart several times on the deceased, local television Channel 33. Meeting Zone version of Crystal Maze has a format similar to the Mazes Cyberdrome Crystal. Meeting Zone Crystal Maze is a permanent attraction well.

Those responsible for children's television show Jungle Run recognize The Crystal Maze openly as an influence, especially the current host, Michael Underwood, who was captain in one of the specialties of Christmas. [Citation needed]

The show has been transformed into a game for mobile phones in 2008 by BAFTA award-winning developer Dynamo Games. The mobile game stays true to the original series and contains over 20 mini-games all based on real games were played in seasons 1-4. The game got good reviews PocketGamer in, among others. In 2009, a video game with 3D graphics called "Crystal Maze SWP" was released by cool games.

Transmissions

Original Series

Series

Start date

Expires

Episodes

Recorded

Presenter

1

February 15, 1990

May 10, 1990

13

November-December 1989

Richard O'Brien

2

March 21, 1991

June 13, 1991

13

November-December 1990

Richard O'Brien

3

April 23, 1992

July 16, 1992

13

November-December 1991

Richard O'Brien

4

April 1, 1993

June 24, 1993

13

November-December 1992

Richard O'Brien

5

May 12, 1994

August 4, 1994

13

November-December 1993

Ed Tudor-Pole

6

May 18, 1995

August 10 1995

13

November-December 1994

Ed Tudor-Pole

Christmas specials

Date

Recorded

Presenter

January 1, 1991

September 1990

Richard O'Brien

December 24, 1991

September 1991

Richard O'Brien

December 27, 1992

September 1992

Richard O'Brien

December 24, 1993

September 1993

Ed Tudor-Pole

December 24, 1994

September 1994

Ed Tudor-Pole

References

^ April 29, 2009 (29.04.2009). "The Crystal Maze Series 5 Christmas Special (Part 1 of 5)". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JswCu_ut320. Retrieved 24/07/2009.

^ "All-Time Poll. UKGameshows. 27/08/2006. Http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Good_Game_Guide_6_All-time_Poll. Retrieved 24/07/2009.

Maid Marian ^ "Tunnel Vision". Bothersbar.co.uk. Http: / / www.bothersbar.co.uk / weekendspecials / marian.htm. Retrieved 24/07/2009.

Bungalow ^ "Dick & Dom In Da – Series 5 to 18 February 2006. Users.telenet.be. 18.02.2006. Http: / / users.telenet.be/bartvanneste/series5/archive/videos/18feb_muck.htm. Retrieved 24/07/2009.

^ Http://www.playerx.com/games/gameshows/Crystal-Maze

^ "Nominations and Winners". Scotland Bafta. http://www.baftascotland.co.uk/archive/scotland-awards-2007/nominations-winners. Retrieved 24/07/2009.

References

UK games TV Page: The Crystal Maze

The Crystal Maze at the Internet Movie Database

The labyrinth of crystal TV.com

Episode Guide

A competitor in the history of

TV Challenge – See support page

game footage of the Mobile Game

The Mobile Game Website

Categories: Channel 4 television programs | 1990s British game shows | British television series | 1990 British television | 1990 debuted television series | 1995 television series | Acorn Archimedes games | DOS gamesHidden Categories: in need of updating | All articles lacking sources | Articles linked by October 2007 About the Author

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