A new animated children’s series set to debut this year will not be premiering on a traditional TV network or streaming service. Instead, the creators of We Ghosted Media have opted for a launch on a decentralized web platform utilizing blockchain technology.
The production studio, founded by Chris Jammal, an assistant director known for “Bob’s Burgers,” and Jaclynn Demas, producer of the children’s series “Peg + Cat,” is moving away from conventional release methods and embracing a decentralized, web3 approach.
In a recent announcement, We Ghosted Media revealed a partnership with Lamina1 to introduce the new animated series titled “Owen Nowhere.” Lamina1, a Layer 1 blockchain platform founded in 2022 by “Snow Crash” author Neal Stephenson, offers an environment where creators can safeguard, manage, and monetize their intellectual property while building an open metaverse. This metaverse concept, first coined by Stephenson in his 1992 novel, envisions a virtual world with lifelike avatars for users.
While blockchain technology and the metaverse are prevalent buzzwords, achieving widespread adoption has been gradual. Launching a children’s show in this arena is particularly ambitious, given that the studio must determine how children will navigate a platform requiring a crypto wallet.
Jammal and Demas are confident that the interactive and participatory nature of a decentralized platform will attract users.
The show features Owen B. Gloom, a preteen aspiring content creator documenting his family’s road trip to unusual tourist attractions. The family includes Owen’s adoptive vampire parents, a magical vehicle, a pet cat, and a fish in a stroller, creating a humorous, sweet, and slightly dysfunctional dynamic.
Jammal and Demas have expressed to TechCrunch that their undertaking is about more than just a show; it embodies their mission to set a novel standard for children’s entertainment in the decentralized age.
“Owen Nowhere” will be developed and showcased on Lamina1’s not-yet-launched Spaces, a platform that allows creators to design virtual worlds with interactive experiences and digital content in formats like 2D, 3D, AR, and VR.
The creators envision the series as an immersive experience, encouraging fans to engage with and provide ideas for the storyline. This virtual space will also feature exclusive behind-the-scenes content, collectible digital assets, and community-driven events such as voting. The ability for viewers to influence the storyline, such as deciding the characters’ travel destinations, is seen as a key attraction.
Convincing parents to manage a crypto wallet for their child is a potential challenge. Some parents might feel apprehensive about inadvertently exposing children to financial risks. However, an increasing number of parents are embracing the idea, even enrolling their children in crypto-themed summer camps. Zigazoo, in 2022, introduced NFTs related to various intellectual properties, including CoComelon.
Rebecca Barkin, CEO of Lamina1, acknowledges the unresolved nature of necessary permissions and protections related to the virtual environment but is committed to learning and adapting as the platform progresses.
Digital assets from “Owen Nowhere” are intended as a way for fans to actively participate in the series and contribute financially through ownership of digital collectibles, including artwork and character outfits. These tokens can also serve as loyalty tokens, emphasizing community participation rather than traditional financial transactions.
While the series specifically targets children and preteens, its appeal extends to adults, similar to how “Bob’s Burgers” successfully engages an adult audience with its comedic portrayal of parenting. However, transparency and potential parental controls may be needed to fully capture its target audience.
Lamina1’s Spaces product, set to launch in the fall, will host another virtual world, “Artefact,” developed by the visual effects company Wētā, renowned for its work on the “Lord of the Rings” film trilogy. Lamina1 has secured $9 million in funding from high-profile investors, including LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and Bloq co-founder Matthew Roszak.
