Mainframe Studios (ReBoot, Team Zenko Go, The Guava Juice Show) has announced a partnership with top gaming entertainer and streamer Nick Eh 30 for a new animated series entitled Endurathon, to be produced in Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 5. The collab unites Mainframe’s animated storytelling expertise with the gaming cred of Nick Eh 30, a popular personality in the arena with more than 30 million followers across social networks.
Billed as eSports meets American Ninja Warrior, Endurathon brings viewers into a world where next-level VR game environments unfold in physical terrain that’s terra-formed to match what the players see. No controllers, no avatars — just a test of strength and skills as the players compete in a battle royale Tournament divided into five connected Quests.
The story follows 14-year-old Colton and best friend Deeci, who get the chance of a lifetime to compete in Endurathon, but as newcomers they’re clear underdogs against four experienced teams that include Colton’s arch-rival Ricky. Although they’re determined to prove they belong, Colton’s obsession with crushing Ricky alienates Deeci and threatens their dream of winning it all.
The series balances conflict with positive messaging around teamwork, friendship and how the road to winning is paved by practice and determination.
The inaugural season — Curse of Darkness — is a fully-realized game world within the series. The teams must advance through five challenging Realms to defeat fearsome Realm Bosses on their way to a final showdown with uber-boss Aewulf to restore the Prism of Light and lift the Curse of Darkness. It takes both the athletic ability and wits of the teen players to win the battles and overcome the obstacles while discovering who they can trust — with more than just winning on the line.
Endurathon is created by Mainframe Studios’ President & CCO Michael Hefferon and writer Larry Raskin. Hefferon and Raskin will executive produce with Nick Eh 30 and Mainframe’s SVP Content Gregory R. Little.
“We wanted to create relatable character-driven stories that are anchored in the exciting world of eSports and gaming,” says Hefferon. “There are over 3 billion gamers in the world, and 92% of our target audience are avid gamers, evenly split between male and female. Nick Eh 30 brings an authenticity to Endurathon‘s eSports experience that speaks directly to that audience.”
Nick Eh 30 — formally Nicholas Amyoony — is known as the ‘good guy’ of gaming for positive outlook and family-friendly content, which has won him “extra points” with parents comfortable enough to let their kids watch him. The Canadian was among the first streamers to pick up Fortnite and ride it to a major career, now streaming to 4.3 million followers on Twitch and 7.7 million subscribers on YouTube.
“So many kids dream of becoming professional gamers, and I consider myself one of the lucky few that get to live that dream. I’m really excited to expand into narrative storytelling and Endurathonis the perfect next step,” says Nick. “Characters like Colton and Deeci show that teamwork and a positive approach can win even in the cutthroat and competitive world of eSports.”
