Lore

THE FINALS takes place about 75 years in the future, roughly around the year 2100. It is the greatest virtual game show on the planet, with a large, global fan base, and is considered a window to a bigger world outside of the real one - known as the Meatspace.

Virtual reality is where most people spend their time, and THE FINALS allows them to join as contestants to play in hyper-realistic arenas and fight for fame, money, and the favor of generous seasonal sponsors. Both THE FINALS and the showrunners are overseen by MultiCo, a company with origins dating back to the 1980s.

The game show has been a target of rogue hacker collective CNS, a group that claims to be "taking back" what was once theirs and urges viewers to "seek the truth beyond the walls". CNS has staged multiple takeovers of the game show, firstly in Season 2, which prompted MultiCo to enlist the cybersecurity services of VAIIYA to remove the group. Their attempt was only partially successful, and after trying to reset the game show, it was revealed that THE FINALS is a sentient AI program capable of defending itself.

Following a smaller scale intrusion in Season 5, CNS staged their next large takeover in Season 7. Unbeknownst to most, this attack was purposefully facilitated by MultiCo, for reasons that are as of yet unknown.

Companies play a major role in THE FINALS. Sponsors want exposure to the game show's massive audience for their brand and products.

THE FINALS has a diverse cast of characters, including former contestants, patrons, CEOs, mascots, and commentators.