Kids' Show Launches with Crypto Wallet - New Fall Debut

A New Approach to Children’s Entertainment: “Owen Nowhere” and the Web3 Revolution

An upcoming animated series geared towards children is poised to bypass conventional television networks and streaming platforms. The creators of We Ghosted Media are pioneering a launch strategy utilizing a decentralized web platform powered by blockchain technology.

The integration of a crypto wallet will be a necessary component for accessing the series.

We Ghosted Media Embraces Decentralization

We Ghosted Media, established by Chris Jammal – an assistant director with experience on “Bob’s Burgers” – and Jaclynn Demas, the producer behind the acclaimed children’s program “Peg + Cat,” is deliberately moving away from traditional distribution methods. They are adopting a decentralized approach, often referred to as web3.

On Friday, the studio announced a collaboration with Lamina1 to introduce their new animated series, “Owen Nowhere.”

Lamina1: Empowering Creators in the Metaverse

Lamina1, founded by Neal Stephenson, the author of “Snow Crash,” debuted in 2022 as a Layer 1 blockchain platform. Its core purpose is to provide creators with a secure environment to safeguard, manage, and profit from their intellectual property.

However, Lamina1’s broader ambition is to construct an open metaverse – a virtual realm envisioned by Stephenson in his 1992 novel, where users are represented by realistic 3D avatars.

Navigating the Challenges of Web3 for Kids

While blockchain technology and the metaverse are gaining traction in the tech industry, widespread adoption remains a challenge. Introducing a children’s show within this space is a particularly ambitious move, given the need to address how young viewers will interact with a platform requiring a crypto wallet.

Jammal and Demas are confident that the freedom and interactive potential of a decentralized platform will attract a dedicated audience.

Introducing “Owen Nowhere”

The series follows Owen B. Gloom, a preteen aspiring content creator, as he chronicles his family’s road trip. Their journey begins with a visit to the world’s largest ball of twine in Cawker City, Kansas.

The Gloom family is portrayed as humorous, endearing, and somewhat unconventional, consisting of Owen’s adoptive vampire parents, a magical vehicle capable of transformation, a pet cat, and a fish traveling in a stroller.

More Than Just a Show: A New Standard for Children’s Entertainment

Jammal and Demas emphasize that “Owen Nowhere” represents a broader mission: to establish a “new standard for the future of children’s entertainment in the decentralized era.”

The project will be hosted on Lamina1’s forthcoming Spaces, a platform designed to empower creators to build their own virtual worlds.

Interactive Experiences and Community Engagement

Within these virtual worlds, creators can develop interactive experiences, digital assets, and content in diverse formats, including 2D, 3D, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR).

Jammal and Demas envision “Owen Nowhere” as an immersive experience, allowing fans to actively participate in the series and contribute their ideas.

The virtual space will offer exclusive behind-the-scenes content, collectible digital items, and community-driven activities, such as voting on story elements.

“Fans could vote on the Glooms’ next travel destination, or even purchase digital versions of souvenirs Owen collects,” Jammal explained. “The possibilities are extensive.”

Addressing Parental Concerns and Ensuring Safety

While the show possesses strong potential to captivate audiences, challenges remain, particularly in convincing parents to manage a crypto wallet on behalf of their children.

Concerns exist regarding potential financial manipulation or loss, even with parental oversight.

However, some parents are increasingly receptive to the idea, as evidenced by the emergence of crypto summer camps for children and Zigazoo’s introduction of NFTs for popular IPs like CoComelon.

“We are actively discussing the necessary permissions and safeguards,” stated Lamina1 CEO Rebecca Barkin. “We don’t have all the answers yet, but we will learn quickly as this evolves.”

Digital Assets and Community Investment

The digital assets associated with “Owen Nowhere” are intended to foster fan involvement and provide a means for viewers to financially support the show’s production through the ownership of digital collectibles – including artwork, characters, and outfits.

Barkin clarified that these tokens can function as loyalty rewards, rather than solely as tradable crypto assets. They can grant access to exclusive content and recognize contributions to the community.

Appealing to a Broad Audience

While the primary target audience is children and preteens, the series is also designed to resonate with adults, mirroring the appeal of “Bob’s Burgers” through its relatable and humorous portrayal of family life.

“We are not solely focused on the youngest demographic,” Barkin noted.

Transparency and potential parental controls may be necessary to ensure the show appeals to all viewers.

Lamina1’s Expanding Ecosystem

Lamina1’s Spaces platform is scheduled to launch this fall. Another project set to debut on Spaces is “Artefact,” a venture by visual effects company Wētā, renowned for its work on the “Lord of the Rings” film trilogy.

To date, Lamina1 has secured $9 million in funding from prominent investors, including LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and Bloq co-founder Matthew Roszak.