Microbes are on the menu in Asteroid Diner, a new animated sci-fi comedy-adventure that introduces a digital card game twist: Fans can play along as the show’s hero, Dexter, solving puzzles and activating items on their character card after each episodes to — hopefully — keep him alive and mutating.
Set in an asteroid belt called the “Pearl Necklace” in a post-nuclear-war future, the 2D series follows a failed neuroscientist who sets out on a quest to infect himself with the 10 original proto-bacteria said to be scattered among the stars. Joined by a ruthless warrior named Kita, this scientist turned bartender pilots his spaceship diner around the belt to collect the bugs, sell his DNA and save his frozen assets — including his literally frozen family.
The project is being created by a core team of three: Jacob Brubaker, an American and CEO of the project, was mostly involved in gaming before diving into the world of animation; he helped DreamTeam.gg reach 2 million+ users & founded SpeakEasy English Network, which provided services for three of the five biggest IT companies in Ukraine. Ivan Melashenko, a Ukrainian producer and screenwriter known for feature film Amber Cops (2021), now available on Netflix, the first Ukrainian animated sitcom Danger Zone (2019-2021) and several TV shows and series for major Ukrainian TV channels. Mitya Shmurak, a Ukrainian director who has created many music videos (including with Ed Sheeran), TV series, commercials and several Ukrainian animated series.
Brubaker clued us in on the show’s secret sauce:
Animation Magazine: When did you begin work on Asteroid Diner and what were the inspirations?
Jacob Brubaker: We kicked off our project in October 2022, and our idea took root from our shared love for animation and gaming. We wanted to break away from the usual conventions. You see, it’s a common trend for a popular cartoon series to spawn a mobile game based on its intellectual property.
We aimed to inject a fresh perspective into this trend. Our thought was, “Why not develop a game that you can play while watching the series?” And so, that’s precisely what we set out to do. We’re in the process of creating a digital card game that lets viewers step into the shoes of the main character as each episode unfolds. The main objective? Keeping your character alive until the end of Season 1.
So, why space? We love all things sci-fi. We also love to discuss futurism. In our series, our main character, Dexter, flies his diner around an asteroid belt looking for and trying to contract the 10 original bacteria of the universe. Each asteroid represents our vision of different industries in the future; DNA toys, digital cemeteries, implant hospitals, etc. Our first goal was to create something we would have a blast creating.
Where will the animation be produced?
As a result of the ongoing war in Ukraine, our team is currently spread out across Europe. However, production is well underway. Our pilot is ready, with Episode 2 being completed mid-October.
Can you describe the visual style?
Asteroid Diner is a flat, 2D animated series, designed using vibrant colors with characters being drawn in humanistic proportions. Dexter, one of the main characters, dresses like an average guy with the only thing about him that stands out is his distinctive hair and beard color. Kita, the second main character, on the other hand, has a very distinctive look. She often can be seen wearing her standard military green outfit, with an open midriff, and has a weapon covering her left hand. Secondary characters can range from an oversized teddy bear to robots to a wide variety of aliens.
Taking place on an asteroid belt 300 years in the future, the scenes unfold either in Dexter’s diner or on one of many different asteroids. Each asteroid has a different futuristic theme and is visually connected to whichever themed asteroid they are on. Despite the different styles and themes, the sky in almost every location is the same distinct purple, spacey asteroid belt.
Who is the target audience?
We’re creating Asteroid Diner for an adult audience who enjoys all things sci-fi, comedy and, of course, people who also love playing games.
What are the plans for the project right now?
Our current plans are to continue producing the episodes while we look for the perfect home for our show. We are open to licensing or selling to become an original. We’re heading to MIPCOM mid-October. If you think the concept sounds interesting, I’d love to connect and give you more details about what we are creating. You can reach me at jacob@asteroiddiner.io
Visit asteroiddiner.io to learn more about the series and stay tuned for upcoming episodes.
