The Crystal Maze - The Crystal Maze Map

The Crystal Maze Map

A computerised diagram of the Crystal Maze was produced and displayed as the team travelled around the maze. The diagram was a copy of the actual production design and floor plan of the set. Two versions were created, one for series 1–3 and one for series 4–6: the change being required for the new Ocean Zone. In both cases, the map zoomed in for each Zone.

Series 1–3: The diagram consisted of a black background with Zones formed from coloured lines:

• Industrial was purple
• Aztec was yellow
• Futuristic was blue
• Medieval was green
• The Crystal Dome was white

The current location of the team in the maze was shown by a single red dot, which could be positioned in numerous places on the map, including different areas in the Zones, the obstacles between the Zones or even outside the map once or twice in the case of the Aztec Zone. Occasionally, no dot at all was shown for the Aztec Zone. The Crystal Dome had no dot and just zoomed in after a few seconds. Also, the map could sometimes be shown twice for the same Zone, the first showing the obstacle and the second the Zone. The map could zoom in at any time however.

Series 4–6: The Diagram consisted of a multi-coloured background with Zones formed from filled coloured areas:

• Ocean was blue
• Aztec was yellow
• Futuristic was grey
• Medieval was green
• The Crystal Dome was white with blue water

The location of the team around the maze was shown by a radar-like positioning system. Unlike the series 1–3 map, the locator had fixed positions in the Zones and did not venture into the obstacles. The Crystal Dome also had this type of locator.

In both cases, the map zoomed in on each individual Zone and the Dome. The angle used to zoom in on each Zone was different: some just panned down, others did a full 180 degree angled sweep to show the Zone from the back. Whenever the map zoomed in, all other Zones and the Dome drifted away so that the individual cells and obstacles could be seen more clearly. The Dome was different. Its zoom showed it from the very front, a very steep pan down being required for this.

In series 6 and the 1992 Kids Christmas Special, the zoom in on Zones included a sound effect. In addition, the 1992 Special used the second map for the first time, so different zooming angles were used, and the Ocean Zone was also seen for the first time.