Mogul, the movie studio fantasy platform created by movie theater subscription service MoviePass, launched in private beta on Wednesday, the company announced. The platform is now available to everyone as a public beta.
Designed specifically for the Hollywood industry, players own their own film studio, assemble a team of actors, directors and films, and earn points based on their performance. Mogul takes inspiration from daily fantasy sports, where players take on the role of team managers and form teams made up of real-life athletes.
The web version of Mogul is currently live for over 400,000 users on a waiting list. The platform is also now publicly available.
About 5,000 users, including myself, tested the platform. I’ve only experienced the pre-season phase, so there’s no active gameplay or leaderboards, but I still have a rough idea of how it works. Overall, it was relatively easy to figure out, which surprised me given my limited knowledge of fantasy sports.
Click here for how to play
When you create a name for your studio, you’ll be given a budget of 1 million “Mogul Coins”, the platform’s virtual currency (since you’re not playing with real money). This initial budget will be used to build your team.
For example, the sequel “Wicked: For Good” cost $100,000 to make, and actresses Cynthia Erivo (who played Elphaba) and Ariana Grande (who played Glinda) each cost $25,000. Director Jon M. Chu also received $25,000.
You have one week to finalize your selection and receive two free redemptions each week.
MoviePass founder Stacy Spikes told cryptoprune that the company tried to develop a game that emulates real movie studios and “the way you have to act like a mogul.”
So when you make these exchanges, you need to be as strategic as a studio head. For example, Tron: Ares star Jared Leto is currently facing allegations of sexual misconduct, which could affect the film’s box office.
Spike provided some additional tips during the discussion. For example, it’s important to focus on up-and-coming stars. Because they could really make the leap. Also, consider paying attention to Bollywood movies, as those who only think about big franchises like Marvel may overlook them. Independent films can also bring in big profits.
Another important thing to remember is that you are competing based on net income, not total gross revenue. Timing is also important. Betting on movies that are earlier will usually cost less, but choosing movies closer to the release date can be more expensive.
Mogul runs on Sui, a layer 1 blockchain that records all your choices and transactions. As users move up the leaderboard, they can earn digital collectibles such as autographed posters and memorabilia.
Now everyone will be participating in the Global League. The fall season lasts 12 weeks in October, November and December, coinciding with awards season. In this first season, users will have the chance to share in a prize pool worth up to $100,000 in tokens, with the aim of encouraging more people to sign up.
MoviePass will also grant exclusive in-app badges and founding member status to users who activate their accounts by October 31st at 11:59pm ET.
Plans for private leagues between friends are in development, along with apps for iOS and Android devices. Spikes claims a licensing deal could be signed by next year, allowing it to compete for real money.