MoviePass, the company behind the cinema subscription service, has officially launched Mogul, a fantasy film studio platform now available to the public in open beta. Previously, in private testing, the game drew inspiration from fantasy sports but was built around the entertainment industry, allowing users to play the role of Hollywood studio heads.
A new way to play fantasy through film
Mogul allows players to create and manage their own virtual film studios, drafting actors, directors, and movies to earn points based on their real-world performance. Similar to daily fantasy sports, participants must act as strategic decision-makers, assembling and managing teams within a fixed budget.
Each player begins with one million “Mogul Coin,” a virtual in-game currency used to build their dream studio. For instance, Wicked: For Good costs US$100,000, while the stars, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, are priced at US$25,000 each. Director Jon M. Chu can also be selected for US$25,000. Players have a week to finalise their choices and are allowed two free swaps per week.
MoviePass founder Stacy Spikes said in an interview that the company’s goal was to design a game that truly captures the experience of running a studio. “We tried to develop a game that emulates a real film studio and how you have to act like a mogul,” he explained.
Strategy meets entertainment
Strategic thinking is central to success in Mogul. Players must consider real-world factors that might affect a film’s performance. For example, current allegations against Tron: Ares actor Jared Leto could influence the film’s profitability.
Spikes also shared advice for players looking to improve their results. He encouraged users to keep an eye on emerging stars who could quickly rise to fame and to look beyond Hollywood. Bollywood films, for instance, are often overlooked but can generate significant returns. Independent productions also offer strong potential for profitability.
Unlike traditional fantasy games that focus on gross earnings, Mogul ranks players based on net profitability. Timing plays an important role, too, as buying a film earlier can be cheaper than selecting one closer to its release.
Blockchain-backed gameplay and upcoming features
The game runs on the Sui blockchain, a layer 1 network that records every trade and selection. As players move up the leaderboard, they can earn digital collectables such as signed posters and film memorabilia.
During the public beta, all users will compete in a global league. The first season, lasting 12 weeks from October through December, coincides with Hollywood’s awards season. Participants can compete for a share of a US$100,000 token prize pool, designed to attract new players.
MoviePass is also offering exclusive rewards to early participants. Players who register and activate their accounts by 11:59 p.m. ET on 31 October will receive special in-app badges and “Founding Member” status.
Future updates are already planned, including private leagues that allow friends to compete against each other and dedicated mobile apps for iOS and Android. Spikes added that by next year, MoviePass may secure a licensing agreement that enables users to compete for real-money prizes.
The platform has already gained attention, with over 400,000 users on the waiting list before launch and around 5,000 participants testing the private beta. Despite its Hollywood theme, early users have found the mechanics surprisingly straightforward, even for those unfamiliar with fantasy sports.
With its blend of entertainment strategy, blockchain integration, and real-world movie trends, Mogul offers a new kind of interactive experience for film enthusiasts and fantasy gamers alike.
