When HQ Trivia went live in 2018, it was an instant hit, generating a tremendous amount of mass appeal and gaining an immediate cult following that went beyond anyone’s expectations. They also had the blessings of the most influential people-from the celebrity-world to the investment world. What would follow would be a set of glitches, cheating bots, internal turmoil, a toxic work environment, mismanagement of funds, and a tragic drug overdose. Get the full scoop on what led to the downfall of one of the biggest blockbuster app launches. Check out Episode 34 on The Great Fail.

Episode Sources:

Three Reasons Why the HQ Trivia App Failed

Game over for HQ Trivia

THE CRAZY RISE AND FALL OF HQ TRIVIA GAME | COMPANY FORENSICS

The End of HQ Trivia—and the Rise of Zombie HQ

‘Mike’s Candyshop’: Behind the Overdose Death of HQ Trivia’s Colin Kroll

The Spectacular Rise and Fall of HQ Trivia

HQ Trivia: The Rise and Fall of a Gaming Phenomenon

Millions of People Played HQ Trivia. What Happened to It?

Game over for HQ Trivia as it runs out of money

Wikipedia: HQ Trivia

Special Guest:

Alyssa Bereznak
Staff Writer at the Ringer

Alyssa Bereznak is a staff writer for theringer.com. She covers tech and culture, with a focus on media, celebrity, and how the internet is changing our lives.