In a future where social media controls everything, Earth desperately needs to boost its standing on the GALACTIC WEB. Enter the Hashtag: humanity's most advanced starship, built for one mission - to get Earth trending across the cosmos on the Galactic Web. When Ignatious Quark, an old washed-up gaming legend, inadvertently launches the Hashtag during an unsanctioned social media stunt, he’s thrust into the command of an eclectic crew. Alongside him are Cassiopeia, a starry-eyed historian; Higgles and Dinglezorp, a pair of quirky alien allies; and a streambot obsessed with live streaming their every move. Now they must navigate viral fame, trolls, mysterious shadow bans, and the dark side of algorithmic control to save Earth from being permanently deleted from the galaxy.
Join Captain Quark and the crew of the Hashtag as they discover that real connections matter more than follower counts in this hilarious adventure through the social media cosmos.
In the distant (or maybe not so distant) future, AI and automation have created a world of absolute abundance. All needs are met, all desires fulfilled. It's a post-scarcity utopia free of want... but also free of purpose.
When AI automation solved material scarcity, society faced an existential crisis: in a world where anyone could have anything, what determines worth? When basic needs are met, possessions become meaningless.
As traditional status symbols became worthless, society gravitated toward the one thing that couldn't be automated or replicated: attention. Likes, views, engagement - these became the new currency of worth. Not because they could buy anything - everything was free - but because they were the only remaining measure of social value.
Across the galaxy, civilizations rise and fall not by their wealth or military might, but by their ability to capture attention and trend across the cosmos. In this new era, a viral moment is worth more than a fleet of starships, and a civilization's relevance depends entirely on its ability to keep the galaxy watching!
This is an early proof-of-concept sequence, created using Unreal Engine, that previews the quality we’re aiming to achieve with Star Streamers. Featuring Cassiopeia's sidekick Streambot, this initial introduction gives a brief tour of the U.S.F. Hashtag’s bridge.
Below are early-stage, untextured character models for Star Streamers. While still in the early stages, we’re excited to share these initial designs and offer a glimpse into the personalities and appearances of our crew aboard the U.S.F. Hashtag.
Once the galaxy's top Quantum Racer until he choked in the finals, Quark's desperate attempt at redemption puts him in command of Earth's most important starship. His outdated methods and oversized ego consistently lead to disaster, but his knack for turning catastrophe into viral content might be exactly what Earth needs.
A dedicated historian determined to prove that authentic content still matters in a galaxy obsessed with manufactured engagement. Though her follower count is low, her commitment to documenting real history might expose the dark truth about the Algorithm's control over galactic civilization.
Assigned to Cassiopeia by the Historical Documentation Guild, this semi-autonomous companion captures and transmits footage with perfect clarity across interstellar distances. Its ability to connect directly to the Galactic Web may prove crucial for the crew.
A former tech reviewer whose career imploded after criticizing the wrong corporation's technology. Now the Hashtag's reluctant engineer, his years of taking apart and critiquing advanced alien tech have ironically made him perfect for keeping Earth's "primitive" starship functioning, despite his constant complaints.
A brilliant scientist whose inability to focus destroyed his streaming career, Higgles never met a phenomenon he didn't want to study. His scattered but vast knowledge across multiple disciplines makes him invaluable during crises, which he greets with endless enthusiasm - even when facing certain death.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of entertainment, there's a growing realization that the traditional Hollywood model is no longer the only path to success. As technology advances, new opportunities emerge for artists to break free from the restrictive and often oppressive studio system and take control of their own creative destinies.
By harnessing the incredible potential of powerful new tools like Unreal and AI, we can dramatically increase productivity, reduce costs, and empower artists to bring their unique visions to life like never before. AI is not something to be feared, but rather embraced as a powerful ally in the creative process. From helping with script development and design to streamlining production workflows, AI can be a game-changer for independent creators.
It's time to stop worrying that the big studios will replace us with AI, and realize that with AI...we can replace THEM. Imagine a world where a small team of passionate artists can create a fully-realized, professional-quality animated series or movie without the need for a massive studio budget or infrastructure. I'm trying to make that a reality with "Star Streamers" – a project that combines the limitless possibilities of AI and real-time workflows with the boundless creativity of artists who refuse to be confined by the status quo.