Key insights

• ⚔️ Focus on creating virtual characters with fictional storylines for esports competitions, unlike traditional wrestlers on TV
• 🎮 Technology designed for remote and performer-friendly content creation
• 🔮 Empowering creators to focus on building entertaining streams, using AR technology and Unreal Engine
• 🤝 Partnership with Reebok and Athlane for integrating digital products with virtual characters
• 🚀 Plans to launch more characters and build a new media entertainment company, targeting gaming and esports fans on various platforms
• 📚 Values at the core are storytelling and content creation
• 💼 Hiring for positions in Unreal Engine, graphic design, video editing, technical art, and marketing
• 🌍 Challenges of transitioning to remote work during the pandemic and turning it into an opportunity by collaborating with talent worldwide

Q&A

• What are the future plans of the small startup focused on storytelling and content creation?

  The small startup aims to launch more characters and build a new media entertainment company for gaming and esports fans on various platforms. With storytelling and content creation at its core, the company is targeting audiences of games, esports, Twitch, YouTube, and new social platforms, and is hiring for positions in Unreal Engine, graphic design, video editing, technical art, and marketing.

• What partnerships has Figments formed for integrating digital products with virtual characters on live streams?

  Figments has utilized Lucasfilm's technology for live animation and mocap, enabling partnerships with brands like Reebok and Athlane for integrating digital products with virtual characters on live streams. This has showcased the company's innovative approach to content integration and live entertainment.

• How does Figments empower creators using AR technology and Unreal Engine?

  Figments focuses on empowering creators to build entertaining streams and communities by utilizing AR technology and Unreal Engine for content creation. They are actively hiring to build out tools for content creation and enable the development of new content through real-time game technology.

• What challenges did Figments face during the COVID-19 pandemic?

  Figments encountered challenges when the pandemic hit, especially in building an in-house storytelling studio. However, they turned this adversity into an opportunity by transitioning to remote work and collaborating with talent worldwide, leveraging the company's vision as a mix of game development studio, content company, and talent agency.

• How did Morales, a robot with a jetpack, contribute to Figments' journey?

  Morales, a robot with a jetpack, excelled at Super Smash Bros Ultimate, became a popular streamer on Twitch, gained 10,000 subscribers on YouTube, and led to the development of unique technology for live streaming and motion capture. Despite facing challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Morales's success spurred technological innovation within Figments.

• What is Figments' focus in storytelling for esports?

  Figments focuses on creating virtual characters with fictional storylines for esports competitions, unlike traditional wrestlers on TV. These characters compete in popular video games in front of large live audiences on platforms like Twitch.

• 00:01 Jay Rosenkrantz, CEO of Figments, discusses the process of storytelling for their company, especially in relation to creating virtual characters for esports.
• 01:11 Morales, a robot with a jetpack, became a top player in Super Smash Bros Ultimate, gained popularity on Twitch and YouTube, and led to the development of unique technology for live streaming. The team also faced challenges due to COVID-19.
• 02:58 A company aimed to build an in-house storytelling studio faced challenges when the pandemic hit, but turned it into an opportunity by transitioning to remote work and collaborating with talent worldwide.
• 04:07 A focus on empowering creators to build entertaining streams and communities using AR technology and Unreal Engine.
• 05:11 Lucasfilm's technology used for live animation and mocap has enabled partnerships with brands for integrating digital products with virtual characters on live streams.
• 06:48 A small startup focused on storytelling and content creation is looking to expand its team to launch more characters and build a new media entertainment company for gaming and esports fans on various platforms.