Funko Fusionis an upcoming action-adventure game by 10:10 Games all about celebrating fandom across various dimensions in movies, video games, comics, and TV. In a partnership with Funko and NBCUniversal,Funko Fusionbrings together 20+ iconic franchises through the tiny vinyl feet of over 60 Funko! Pop characters, with several new Pops created just for the game. Of course, some ofFunko Fusion’s IPsalready have roots firmly set in existing video game properties, such as the blue roboticMega Manrecently added to the varied cast of playable characters. However,Funko Fusionalso includes characters and worlds from properties taking their first steps into the gaming space, like the action-comedy hitHot Fuzzandthe recent sci-fi horror movieNope.
In a recent interview with Game Rant, Jason Bischoff, VP for Licensing and Business Development at Funko, spoke more about what it was like to include all these different IPs inFunko Fusionfrom a licensing perspective. Specifically, Bishoff talked about how the game included established video game IPs versus those yet to or rarely receive the video game treatment.
Adding Existing Video Game IPs In Funko Fusion
Funko Fusionrecently announcedMega Manas another addition to its cast of playable characters and a beloved protagonist in the gaming space. When asked whether it was more challenging to include existing properties likeMega Manvs. those without game tie-ins, Bischoff said it was mainly about being “honorific of the genre,” ensuring that whatever they chose is done right, and ultimately being true to the IP and the Funko brand.
Specifically, this meant ensuring that all third-party stakeholders were comfortable with what they were trying to achieve withFunko Fusion, as Bischoff said, with Amblin Entertainment’sJurassic Worldseries as one example. While stating the overall process of handling various licenses wasn’t particularly different from the usual day-to-day at Funko, Bischoff said they have a “great privilege of a vast assortment of partnerships” which started with a “degree of trust” and rapport building. Bischoff also spoke about the importance of starting from a place of authenticity, talking about addingEdgar Wright’sScott Pilgrim Vs. The Worldas another example:
“The process always started from a place of authentic fandom and then part of it was semi-strategic, if only because we wanted to tackle different flavors of genre. Part of it was just, ‘Okay, we’ve got this far. What are our personal wants where we can still add a little bit of gravy on top?'”
Adding New Game Tie-Ins To Funko Fusion
Speaking about the process of adding IPs that have never or rarely been video games, such asEdgar Wright’s Cornetto Trilogyfavorites likeHot FuzzandShaun of the Dead, Bischoff said it was an “awesome responsibility” to work on such IPs. From a process perspective, Bischoff added this meant not just finding their unique core gameplay mechanics for their respective environments that felt intuitive to the IP, but also “finding all the right gags, which is a big part of the overall experience.” It also sounds like this still presented opportunities for creative freedom, as Bischoff explained:
“It’s equal parts responsibility and equal parts let’s just have a good time. Let’s be fans first and deliver something that’s not only authentic but feels like it adds something to the overall love of those IPs.”
Overall, it sounds like Funko and 10:10 games carefully balanced creative freedom with honoring the IPs included, something that also seems clear from Game Rant’sFunko Fusionhands-on previewwith its inventive and honorific treatment of properties likeHot FuzzandJurassic World. Of course, it remains to be seen how the game handles other existing and new tie-ins when it launches in September, but both anticipation and expectation are clearly high.
