The series builds on the recently launched Web3 video game ‘Space Nation Online’ and animated shorts featuring the game character Zoey, which were executive-produced by Emmerich and Marco Weber, with creative direction by Martin Weisz.
A live-action series adaptation of the Web3 video game Space Nation Online is in development from the transmedia IP’s co-creators and co-founders Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, Stargate) and Marco Weber (The Thirteenth Floor, Igby Goes Down). The duo will also executive produce the project.
Originally announced in June 2023, Space Nation Inc. was founded by Emmerich, Weber, and veteran game developers Jerome Wu and Tony Tang. With $50 million in funding, the four co-founders set out to build a first-of-its-kind transmedia IP spanning video games, online content, and TV/streaming. Space Nation Online soft launched on September 27, garnering high player numbers and retention.
“As gamers around the world are joining us in the Telikos Cluster for Space Nation Online, I’m motivated to expand the game’s story with a dive into the origins of humanity’s exodus from Earth following an alien invasion,” said Emmerich. “Working in parallel with Marco and the game development team to expand this new sci-fi universe has been a singularly unique creative experience, and I’m excited to continue exploring what’s possible through cross-media storytelling.”
“We’re at an important stage with Space Nation Online now live, and fans are beginning to experience how our IP will expand,” added Weber. “It’s been a rewarding process to explore how different entertainment mediums can come together to build a larger universe. Roland and I are eager to continue developing this new universe as we create a truly interconnected transmedia experience for a global audience.”
To support the game’s launch, Emmerich and Weber teamed with filmmaker Martin Weisz (The Hills Have Eyes 2) to create a series of animated shorts featuring the Space Nation character Zoey, chronicling her ill-fated attempts to go viral online. In addition to the three entertainment industry veterans’ collaboration, Jess Lebow, lead writer of Space Nation Online, co-wrote the narrative alongside actress Winona Weber, voice of Zoey in both the shorts and the game.
Check out the first episode, featuring alien teen space pirate now:
Attention Space Explorers!
It’s here — episode 1⃣ of my intergalactic internet show!
I’m taking you on a tour of my ship , blasting my favorite pirate-fighting tunes, and uh... let’s just keep the end a secret, ok?
Like, retweet and comment for more! (If I don’t get… pic.twitter.com/VKiqadpOru— Lightweight Studios (@lightweightprod) August 24, 2024
Source: Space Nation Inc.