Renowned Hollywood director Roland Emmerich and producer Marco Weber are teaming up to develop a live-action TV series based on the popular Web3 game “Space Nation.” In an exclusive report by Variety, Emmerich and Weber revealed their plans to delve into the game’s rich history, lore, and setting through the TV series. However, they are taking a unique approach to distribution by exploring non-traditional methods such as licensing series content for “second window streaming.” This format would allow gamers to simultaneously stream the TV show while showcasing their live gameplay and commentary.
Weber emphasized that their approach aligns with the overall philosophy of the game. They aim to finance a significant portion of the budget themselves through their own economy and token. “Space Nation” is a massively multiplayer online (MMO) game that immerses players in the role of starship captains. It is Web3-enabled and built on blockchain technology, enabling players to engage in a token-based economy featuring non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that can be bought, sold, and traded within the game.
Space Nation Inc., the company behind the game, was founded by Emmerich, Weber, Jerome Wu (former senior project manager at Blizzard-Activision), and game developer Tony Tang. Emmerich, known for his acclaimed films like “Independence Day” and “2012,” brings his expertise to the project as a film director. Weber, the CEO of Space Nation Inc., has an extensive background in film production, including the techno-dystopian thriller “The Thirteenth Floor.”
Since its inception, the project has received $50 million in early funding and was designed as a “transmedia” platform. The company has already produced animated shorts featuring the in-game character “Zoey,” and the game has transitioned out of beta and is available for download on PC. With its substantial funding, Hollywood connections, and ambitious roadmap, “Space Nation” has emerged as a prominent player in the Web3 gaming industry. However, integrating NFTs into MMOs has proven challenging to attract mainstream gamers thus far.
The “space opera” genre, which “Space Nation” falls under, is predominantly dominated by games like “Eve Online” and “No Man’s Sky.” Additionally, there is “Eve Frontier,” a game set in the same universe as “Eve Online” that features an experimental blockchain-based economy, allowing players to create their own cryptocurrencies.