Dopplegamer (Pilot)

READY PLAYER ONE meets ROLLERBALL when a once thankless gamer, now the greatest player in a live action battle arena game, wants a return to his old life but struggles with the allure and fame his gaming persona brings, knowing any decision may end his dreams.

A 1-hour, limited drama series where, in the near future, a changing society brings an end to professional sports once attracting millions –football, baseball, soccer. Now the most watched sporting event on Earth is Glory of Heroes (Heroes in the stories parlance). Beginning as a Massive Online Battle Arena (MOBA) game, it morphed into reality: from a game where humans control avatars to humans playing the avatar in the arena. Players create a fantasy/superhero persona. GEEK (Gamers of Extraordinary and Exceptional Kape-abilities) is a label worn with pride. Although public colleges are tuition free and health care universal, a young, fame-hungry gamer dreams only to break into Heroes. Only when he becomes one of its greatest players does he discover the true price of success. As local, state and the federal government prove unable to fund schools, infrastructure, health care, private corporations take up the slack. They also control Heroes, making billions. In the end, the story is a battle for self-identity and worth and the price we are, or not, willing to pay.

Bottom line: Imagine games like Defense of the Ancients (DOTA), League of Legends and Smite were played for real, not on a computer. Blend it with the allure of a football game and spectacle of professional wrestling. GEEK (Gamers of Extraordinary and Exceptional Kape-abilities) is a label now worn with pride.

Intended Rating/Target Audience:
PG-13.
Gamers of Massive On-Line Battle Arena (MOBA) games, cosplayers, fans of the Marvel/DC comic world who admire the costumed hero. Those who wish they could run around in a costume and save the world, or if not that, kick some ass doing it.

Plot/Synopsis:

Jason Dávalos works as a thankless cook at Beachers, where scantily clad waitresses, wings and beer are the main attraction (i.e., Hooters). His life revolves around Heroes: plays online, practices via simgames and participates in tryouts for teams. Harboring a silent contempt for those who have more, becoming a great cyberlete (the athlete part dropped decades ago) would give him the same. He scrapes by to have money for the equipment and fees needed for tryouts, addicted to the game as countless others, many wanting their chance in the arena. With few exceptions, most of his “friends” are online, seen only when playing Heroes. His crush on the waitress Savannah goes unrewarded although she considers him a friend.

Getting a spot on a practice squad for a professional team, he endures the contempt of the Gold team Hero Gustave. Given his drive, he soon overcomes his underserving status as a noob and gets a chance to play Gold mid-season (Gold refers to the primary team players or “Going Gold”). Starting as a Champion, within a season he ranks among the best players as his costumed player, and alter ego, Jägerdon.

He then becomes team’s Hero. All he wanted -fame, recognition, money, desired by women- come to fruition. He revels the cheering crowds, groupies. A validation of his efforts and himself. Problems solved.

Soon he discovers it’s the other way around: his character achieves glory through him, and is still a nobody without it. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. The people want Jägerdon, not Jason Dávalos. A tipping point comes when, after losing a match to help and injured player, he’s taken aback when “Jason” gets condemned by fans, and how “Jägerdon” wouldn’t have done that. Save for Savannah, who still sees him as Jason, but will only be a friend. His “real” life didn’t really change. Questioning his own identity, promoting the game and making millions for those in control, they deal out the fantasy of Heroes, keeping others addicted.

He begins reflecting on the effects Heroes has on people (i.e, himself but reluctant to admit it). His manager presses the fact much the social programs the corporation funds comes from Heroes, and keeps the masses entertained. Jason comes to know what the old phrase “bread and circus” really means. While part of him wants to break free, even if it means returning to his old life, another part’s unable to shake off the allure of what his alter ego brings.

As the annual GOH Championship draws near, top managers eschew the normal Blue vs Red standards and pit three top teams against each other. The resulting match would draw in billions of viewers, billions in ad revenue and merchandising. Sensing a way out, Jason pulls his own coup.

In the end, the story is a battle for self-identity and worth and the price we are, or not, willing to pay. Summed up in one quote– “I pretended to be somebody I wanted to be until finally I became that person. Or he became me.” Archibald Leach (aka Cary Grant).