MoviePass CEO Envisions Mogul Game Transforming Hollywood Like FanDuel Has Revolutionized Sports

MoviePass cofounder Stacy Spikes is looking to transform the film industry by taking inspiration from the success of fantasy sports.

Spikes observed how effectively sports engage audiences and believes the film sector can adopt similar strategies. 'We can potentially gain a lot from the way sports drive interaction,' he shared with Business Insider.

This week marks the debut of a trial version of Mogul, a fantasy box office game. It allows movie enthusiasts to predict future film earnings in theaters.

Mogul enables participants to form 'movie studios,' akin to leagues in fantasy sports, where teams consist of chosen actors, directors, and movies. Players can construct a studio with a virtual currency and earn points based on their box office success.

Spikes anticipates that this no-cost game will boost viewer interaction through daily and weekly contests, seasonal competitions, and direct user duels.

Should Mogul prove successful, MoviePass may look into expanding with aspects that mirror financial prizes, similar to platforms like FanDuel and DraftKings, as noted by Spikes.

For now, he describes Mogul as a 'Monopoly game for the film world.'

Innovation and Forward Thinking at MoviePass

The origin of Mogul traces back to MoviePass's routine Friday gatherings, where they predicted weekend box office hits, spotlighting blockbusters that surprised the industry.

MoviePass identified a chance to transform these predictions into a game, aiming to enhance user retention and boost social interactions within the app, as Spikes explained.

'Wondering about the weekend box office numbers became ingrained in our company culture,' remarked Spikes. 'That's where this initiative started.'

In Mogul, participants establish studios that mimic fantasy sports leagues. By purchasing films, actors, and directors using the in-game Mogul Coin, players begin with a starting balance of 1 million Mogul Coins.

Points are calculated based on the film's profitability. For instance, if 'Wicked' doubles its budget in box office returns, its contributors' values increase proportionately. Success in awards can further elevate an actor or director's value.

Utilizing Sui blockchain technology, the game facilitates player rewards and platform enhancements, according to Spikes.

'Blockchain integration offers unique possibilities for rewards, like digital collectibles, making it easier to implement innovative features,' he stated.

Reflecting on the technological advancements that made Mogul possible, Spikes likened it to MoviePass's original groundbreaking subscription model.

'Building a game like this a decade ago would have been unfeasible without today's advanced tech,' Spikes commented.

Enthusiastic Pre-launch Interest

Remarkably, over 400,000 individuals have already joined the waitlist for Mogul, Spikes disclosed.

Currently, MoviePass is not aiming for revenue through ads or purchases in the app; instead, the goal is to engage users and refine game mechanics based on feedback.

Participation is open to all, regardless of one’s MoviePass subscription status, though subscriber rewards and theater attendance bonuses are being considered.

Ultimately, the game's objective is to encourage theater visits. 'The more involved you are, the more inclined you'll be to see movies in cinemas,' Spikes emphasized.