The premise of the show is themed around challenges set to different periods of human history within a fictional labyrinth of time and space (the titular "Crystal Maze"), and is notable for the use of golf ball-sized Swarovski glass crystals (referred to as "time crystals") as a reward for each challenge successfully completed by contestants, and lock-in conditions for contestants that ran out of time or broke a three-strikes rule on a challenge.

The Crystal Maze originally consisted of six series, including five Christmas specials involving teams of children, which aired between 15 February 1990 to 10 August 1995.

In October 2016, Channel 4 created a one-off celebrity edition for Stand Up to Cancer, hosted by Stephen Merchant.

As a result, the pilot was filmed in London at Elstree Studios, using a basic replica set funded by Channel 4,[9] but the result was deemed unsuccessful and not broadcast, due to the considerable changes required to the French-owned format in order for it to suit a UK audience.

Antoine eventually provided a rough sketch to the producers when taking them to Paris to view a full-size Crystal Dome created by the French, revealing it would be the centrepiece and surrounded by four other sets.

The sketch was used as inspiration for the concept of The Crystal Maze, which was developed in just "two days", creating a show which although was similar to Fort Boyard, had substantial differences in presentation and style, creating a show akin to Dungeons & Dragons, with the host acting as the Dungeon Master.

The remainder of the team watch their progress either through a cell's windows or monitors depending on the zone aesthetic, and may give advice to the contestant unless stipulated otherwise.

The host will serve reminders of the time limit and of any special rules, and generally will not give hints unless the contestant is struggling badly.

While the format was similar to the adult version, there were notable differences, such as easier games with fewer chances of a lock-in, more lenient time limits and additional clues from the host.

Additionally, the team no longer selected the category of game they wanted to play: instead, this was determined for them by the Maze Master.

The contestants taking part were given an extra crystal upon reaching the Dome (or by completing an additional task during the show) to add to those that they had brought, and would earn cash for Stand Up to Cancer depending on how many gold tokens they got, after deduction of silver.

The short monologue to camera scenes originated when O'Brien began joking with the cameramen during filming of an episode.

When the production team reviewed the footage and realized what it could bring to the show they "asked him to do it all the time"; O'Brien felt that looking straight at the camera "unknowingly added a complicity between me and the audience at home".

The set, designed by James Dillon for both the original run and the revived series, is divided into five parts, four of which are named as zones, set in different periods of time and space, which house the games that contestants take on, while the final part, called the Crystal Dome, houses the final challenge that the team tackle together towards the end of the episode.

For the first series, the show was filmed at Shepperton Studios, within a stage set measuring 30,000-square-foot (2,800 m2) and containing a water tank on-site.

After the show ended in 1995, when Channel 4's contract with producers Chatsworth TV expired, the set was eventually dismantled.

"[34] The show has had a lasting impact and influence on British television, becoming what has been described as a cult classic due to repeats;[21] the makers of the children's TV show Jungle Run openly acknowledge The Crystal Maze as an influence, particularly the final host, Michael Underwood, who was the team captain in the first Christmas special;[37] The perceived stupidity of the contestants was the target of various British comedy shows and spoofs, a trend which continued well into the mid 2000s.

[38][39] A single-player computer game based on The Crystal Maze was developed by Digital Jellyfish Design and released in 1993.

The game itself features sixteen challenges which can be played either individually or as a team, with an optional timer to use on smartphones and tablets.

[42][43] Located in central London, the Live Experience admits members of the public, who can buy tickets and play the show for themselves.

[44] In the Live Experience, Richard O'Brien is shown leaving the Maze to "the new custodian" who guides the team.

Chatsworth Television licensed a number of popular SWP gambling machines based on the TV series.

On June 3, 2019, it was announced that an American version of the show would premiere on Nickelodeon and feature family members competing for $25,000.

It debuted on the North American version of the channel with a commercial-free premiere which aired on 24 January 2020[50] and was later broadcast in the UK from 4 September 2020.