The world is about to get an animated parody of the rise and fall of FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange that was celebrated and critiqued in equal measure. The upcoming series, named “FORTUN3”, seeks to satirize the ‘crypto-bro’ culture, and brings to life a character reflective of the former FTX CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried.
The series, set to premiere this fall, was announced at Comic-Con and is crafted by budding Web3 studio Toonstar. The storyline derogates the dangerous concoction of money-making frenzy and unchecked tech idealism that underpinned the popularity of FTX. However, it doesn’t stop at reflecting upon FTX; it also mirrors fiascos like Theranos and WeWork.
The show’s creators aim to infuse Web3 interactive elements into the story, turning viewers into participants of the narrative. Toonstar distinguishes itself by enabling community participation through NFT-based applications, a concept its CEO, John Attanasio, believes could appeal to a broader audience. Despite the inherently sophisticated and niche base of crypto, the show’s underlying themes are touted to be universal, thereby reducing the barriers to non-crypto audiences.
The audience interaction isn’t limited to viewer feedback or suggestions. Fans will be able to participate in an online game set within the series’ universe via an NFT. The gaming experience is closely tied to the show’s exploits, with plot developments influencing the game’s events. It offers an intriguing blend of engagement that suggests a bumpy, but exhilarating, ride, much like FTX’s actual voyage.
The cast of “FORTUN3” includes T.J. Miller, Jon Heder, and Amber Rose, adding a dash of mainstream appeal to the mix. Toonstar’s last collaborative project also featured Heder, underscoring the studio’s efforts to establish a reputation in the innovative sphere of Web3 entertainment.
There is, however, an additional accomplice to Toonstar’s pursuit of deep community engagement — Artificial Intelligence (AI). According to Luisa Huang, Toonstar’s COO, AI has been instrumental in catalyzing audience involvement in the past, multiplying the rate of participation by 30 times.
Indeed, Toonstar’s design — its casting choices, its Comic-Con launch, and its inclusion of blockchain and AI technologies — underscores its aspiration of mainstream appeal. Then, it begs the question: Could the fall of FTX precipitate a new dawn in Web3 entertainment through “FORTUN3”? The series’ success might signal that even in the world of blockchain and crypto, there is fortune to be found in, yes, misfortune.
Source: Coindesk
