In 2017, the world was first introduced to HQ Trivia; a mobile app that allowed players to compete in daily trivia games for a share of cash prizes. The app very quickly made a name for itself, becoming popular all over the world and even attracted celebrity fans like Dwayne Johnson. Then, in February 2020, it all seemed to come crashing down when HQ Trivia announced it would be ceasing operations as negative press increased while popularity for the app dwindled.
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The story behind the app’s formation, rise, behind-the-scenes drama with HQ Trivia leadership, and ultimate implosion will be explored in a new documentary. Deadline reports that CNN has ordered an as-yet-untitled documentary series charting the HQ Trivia story, to be directed Salima Koroma. Koroma has an excellent pedigree, having helmed 2021’s Dreamland: The Burning of Black Wall Street.
The documentary is currently slated for a 2023 release. In a relatively short period of time, HQ Trivia created a story packed with drama. With a simple concept of fans answering questions of increasing difficulty, the platform quickly captured the public’s imagination. But, behind the scenes, there was controversy, drama, mismanagement, and tragedy with the untimely death of the app’s co-founder Colin Kroll at just 34 years of age.
HQ Trivia has since continued to operate after the February 2020 cancellation statement from CEO Rus Yusupov. It’s unclear if the documentary will explore this recent history, or focus just on the tumultuous on the rise and fall from 2017 to 2020. Whatever direction the filmmakers choose to go, there is certainly enough to explore in this story that Koroma’s documentary should be a fascinating watch.
The HQ Trivia story isn’t just an interesting business case study of a failed social media tech startup. There is a very human element to it also and care needs to be taken in how this story is told; particularly as related to Kroll’s passing. Hopefully, Koroma and CNN are up to the challenge.
HQ Trivia is available for download on Android and iOS.
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Source: Deadline
