You probably won’t need to hold onto the name Incention for long, as you’ll likely not think of it again after reading this. According to Variety, this new platform aims to create Hollywood intellectual property (IP) by leveraging AI tools, fan engagement, and blockchain technology. Incention markets itself as "a new blueprint for modern franchises, where IP holders, communities, and agents can collaborate effortlessly in a limitless playground based on authentic IP. " Alas, the pressing issue in Hollywood today seems to be the challenge of developing franchises with user-generated content, questionable AI technologies, and blockchain buzz. Inception's first franchise — a contemporary Hollywood term for "story" — is Emergence, a sci-fi concept from David S. Goyer, known for his work on Blade and The Dark Knight. The premise involves a universe where a white hole emerges (the intriguing opposite of a black hole!) and releases enigmatic high-tech objects. Goyer frames it as a "creative sandbox" where artists and fans can craft "limitless narratives" across various genres and formats. (The title, however, is puzzling; it sounds eerily similar to Christopher Nolan’s Inception, a film Goyer wasn’t involved in. And what exactly does it mean?Incentive prevention?) Incention's primary AI tool, Atlas, is intended to act as a creative partner in content development. The company claims it can generate ideas, guide storylines, and even produce complete videos. Furthermore, Atlas will autonomously post to social media to refine itself, perhaps due to the current perils of human engagement in franchise social media. Powered by the Story blockchain, Incention aims to track content generated by fans and creators across all franchises, addressing yet another perceived shortfall.

The NFT craze has subsided, and besides Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, effective utilization of blockchain remains elusive. “A couple of years ago, I realized that AI isn’t going away; it will deeply integrate into society, " Goyer shared with Variety. "So, I set out to learn everything I could about it, from ChatGPT to Midjourney and other tools. I believe they have valuable applications that won’t necessarily displace jobs — although many potential uses of AI might. However, here, we’re not displacing anyone. If anything, this is a means for those who typically lack pathways into Hollywood or publishing. " Nevertheless, the primary challenge for Incention is that it’s not genuinely addressing Hollywood's issues. Like the short-lived Quibi, Incention is primarily fueled by technology rather than authentic demands from creators or a franchise-hungry audience. Unlike Quibi, Incention isn’t launching with close to $2 billion in funding (though it has secured an undisclosed amount from the a16z crypto fund) or the Hollywood credentials of DreamWorks co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg. Moreover, Incention appears to misinterpret the essence of fan-generated content. Fans engage in writing fanfic, creating fanart, and crafting cosplay not solely for financial reward, but because a story and its characters have genuinely resonated with them. Good luck garnering the same level of enthusiasm for a nondescript franchise like Emergence. "The entertainment industry stands at a crossroads, " Incention stated in its vision "manifesto. " "As AI produces an unending flow of content, traditional entertainment faces an existential dilemma: How do we safeguard human creativity while leveraging modern technology?The solution lies not in resistance, but in collaboration and shared benefits. " I give it a month.