“Independence Day” and “2012” filmmaker Roland Emmerich is returning with the announcement of plans for a new cross media franchise titled “Space Nation”.
The project is being designed as a TV series, an online space opera game, and a series of animated shorts. The project will first start as a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) ala “World of Warcraft”.
Players take on the roles of ship captains, embarking on an epic journey to unravel the mysteries of the Telikos Cluster. The in-game universe is inhabited by alien species driven by three main factions – each with distinct ideologies and goals.
The project has already reportedly received $50 million in backing from the likes of Chain Hill Capital, Foresight Ventures, Lighthouse Capital, SevenX Ventures, HashKey Capital, Arcane Group, Initiate Capital, JDAC Capital, Assembly Partners, and Cristian Manea. A final round of funding is expected in the fall.
Emmerich says in an issued statement: “Hollywood’s increasing interest in video games reflects a wider recognition of gaming’s popularity and storytelling potential. The expansive universe we’re building in Space Nation is a tremendous opportunity to captivate audiences wherever they consume entertainment with innovative new forms of storytelling.”
Emmerich most recently worked on Peacock’s gladiator drama series “Those About To Die” and last directed the film “Moonfall” which premiered last year. Also involved are Jerome Wu (“World of Warcraft”), Tony Tang (“Warframe”) and Marco Weber (“The Thirteenth Floor”).
Source: Deadline
