Funko enters the AAA gaming space this fall with “Funko Fusion,” its co-op action game that mashes up characters from “Jurassic World,” “Back to the Future” and more beloved NBCUniversal IP into Funko Pop! format.
Per the game makers: “‘Funko Fusion’ is an action-adventure, single player and online co-op experience that pays tribute to NBCUniversal’s deep roster of beloved worlds and the irreverent Funko Pop! interpretations of the figures who inhabit them. In the game, players will celebrate their favorite movies and TV series across a wide range of more than 20 franchises: from blockbuster movies like ‘Jurassic World,’ ‘Jaws,’ ‘Back to the Future,’ ‘The Thing,’ ‘Shaun of the Dead,’ and ‘Chucky,’ to hit TV series such as ‘Battlestar Galactica,’ ‘The Umbrella Academy,’ and ‘Masters of the Universe,’ and many more.”
Funko released the first trailer for the game Tuesday, which readers can view in the video below, featuring Pop-ified versions of characters from across NBCU brands, including “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” “M3GAN,” “Invincible,” “Xena: Warrior Princess,” “Hot Fuzz” and “Nope.”
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From 10:10 Games, Funko and Universal Products and Experiences, “Funko Fusion” will be released Sept. 13 across PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch.
Players who pre-order “Funko Fusion” will receive a “Walking Dead” pack, made in partnership with physical distribution partner Skybound, at alunch, which includes Rick Grimes and Michonne Hawthorne as playable characters and variant outfits for each.
“Funko Fusion is our first, explosive entry in console video gaming,” said Jason Bischoff, vice president of licensing and business development at Funko. “New and longtime Pop! fans will traverse, explore, and adventure through incredible worlds inspired by some of NBCUniversal’s most iconic brands and characters, in addition to a wealth of surprises from both Skybound and Funko. Fans have been champing at the bit for more information since our announcement. We are so grateful for that excitement, and for the opportunity to start sharing the extraordinary work, and partnership of our friends at 10:10 Games. Fall 2024, it’s all about ‘Funko Fusion’!”
See below for a Q&A with 10:10 Games co-founder, head of publishing and design director Arthur Parsons about “Funko Fusion.”
Are there plans to work with other studios outside of NBCUniversal for future iterations of “Funko Fusion” to do the same thing with other IP, like Disney or Warner Bros. Discovery?
Arthur Parsons: At the minute the entire studio is fully focused on ensuring that“Funko Fusion”delivers on our initial lofty ambitions. We want to create an incredibly fun and engaging experience for players to enjoy, and once we’ve achieved that goal, we will be able to look to the future.
I know you are awaiting ratings still, but is it currently leaning more likely toward a specific rating?
From the very start of the project our aim was to deliver an awesome game experience that would be Teen rated. As such, we’ll be working closely with the ratings boards to ensure that is where we land.
What are the plans for DLC?
We want to work closely with the fandoms of the properties we have in the game, as well as the players that will enjoy“Funko Fusion,” and involve them in our DLC plans. We do have some exciting things up our sleeves already, but we really want to engage with the community that comes to embrace“Funko Fusion”in our decision making.
Was there ever any hesitancy from NBCU in having more all-age brands, like “Back to the Future,” interacting with very violent properties in the mash-up element?
We are very lucky to have a rich history of treating IP with respect and delivering authentic, entertaining experiences. As such, working with IP holders has been genuinely collaborative and creative, and as a result we haven’t encountered any hesitancy. Instead, we’ve managed to convey our fun and creative ideas, and marry all different kinds of IP together through the Funko lens by creating our own unique rulesets within“Funko Fusion.” We stay true to the IP we have in the game, while also staying within the bounds of the comic violence players know us for.
