MoviePass opens fantasy league game Mogul to the public

Mogul, the film studio fantasy platform created by the movie theater subscription service MoviePass, on Wednesday launched out of private beta, the company announced. The platform is now available as a public beta for everyone.

Designed specifically for the Hollywood industry, players own their own film studio and draft a team of actors, directors, and movies to earn points based on their performance. Mogul draws inspiration from daily fantasy sports, where players assume the role of team managers, forming teams made up of real-life athletes.

Today, the web version of Mogul is open for the over 400,000 users on the waiting list. The platform has also begun rolling out to the public.

Around 5,000 users, including myself, have tested the platform. Although I’ve only experienced the pre-season phase, which lacks active gameplay and a leaderboard, I still have a general idea of the mechanics. Overall, it was relatively straightforward to figure out, which I was surprised about, given my limited knowledge of fantasy sports.

Here’s how to play

After you create a name for your studio, you’ll receive a budget of one million “Mogul Coin,” the platform’s virtual currency (since you’re not playing with real money). This initial budget is yours to use to assemble your team. 

For example, the sequel “Wicked: For Good” is $100,000, and the actresses Cynthia Erivo (playing Elphaba) and Ariana Grande (as Glinda) are $25,000 each. Director Jon M. Chu is also $25,000. 

You have a week to finalize your choices, and you can make two free swaps each week. 

MoviePass founder Stacy Spikes told TechCrunch that the company tried to develop a game that emulates a real film studio and “how you have to act like a mogul.” 

So, when conducting these swaps, you need to be strategic just like a studio head would. For instance, “Tron: Ares” star Jared Leto is currently facing sexual misconduct allegations, and this may affect the movie’s performance. 

Spikes gave us some additional tips during our discussion. For example, it’s important to keep an eye out for up-and-coming stars, as sometimes they’re the ones who’ll really take off. Also, consider looking at Bollywood films as they can be overlooked by people who think only about big franchises, like Marvel. Independent films can also bring in significant returns.

Another key point to remember is that you’re competing based on net profitability rather than total gross revenue. Timing is also critical; betting on a movie earlier typically costs less, whereas choosing one closer to its release date might be more expensive. 

Mogul operates on Sui, a layer 1 blockchain, which records every selection and trade. As users climb the leaderboard, they can earn digital collectibles, such as signed posters and memorabilia. 

Currently, everyone will participate in a global league. The fall season will last 12 weeks, spanning October, November, and December, coinciding with awards season. For this first season, users have a chance to share in a prize pool worth up to $100,000 in tokens, aimed at encouraging more people to sign up.

MoviePass is also granting exclusive in-app badges and Founding Member status to users who activate their accounts by 11:59 p.m. ET on October 31.

Plans for private leagues among friends are in development, along with an app for iOS and Android devices. By next year, Spikes claims a licensing deal may be established, enabling you to compete for real money.