Funko fans no doubt recognize the face of Freddy in 10:10 Games’Funko Fusion, the brand’s squeaky-clean, beloved mascot. However, the upcoming action-adventure game also introduces fans to Freddy’s antithetical nemesis, Eddy Funko, who plays the centralvillain inFunko Fusion. Taking advantage of Freddy’s ability to change form,Funko Fusionwelcomes a host of new Pops corrupted by Eddy’s shapeshifting skills, both in and outside the game. It’s a collection that includes Pops like Apollo, Starbuck, Boomer, and Athena fromBattlestar Galactica, the Blair Monster from John Carpenter’sThe Thing, and more, some with the chance of a Chase variant. Of course,Funko Fusion’s characters also have the potential to spawn unique fandoms beyond the game, with many fans likely eager to collect their favorites.
In a conversation with Game Rant, Jason Bischoff, VP for Licensing and Business Development at Funko, talked about how iconic designs were adapted forFunko Fusion, including creating some unique-looking Pops for the game itself. Bischoff also detailed the reasons behind the creation of Eddy, who not only sets the stage for several Chase Funko! Pop variants, but who also plays a crucial role beyond that of simply a villain.
Adapting Funko Pops For Funko Fusion
When asked whether it was a challenge to adaptFunko! Popsinto video game format, Bischoff talked about how Funko’s involvement in animated shorts was a crucial reminder of the importance of pantomime. For instance, Bischoff explained there are some things that only Funko! Pops could do, something which also seems to lend itself well toFunko Fusion’s irreverent humor. As Bischoff explained,
“Well, I guess there was some precedence in that we had been producing these fully-rendered animated shorts for years now, and those shorts actually taught us quite a bit going into this project, which is pantomime is key. Celebrating the fact that it’s not a true and authentic version of the character - it’s the toy-stylized version or a collectible stylized version. You could be a bit more tongue-in-cheek, in that a head can pop off or a thing only a collectible can do.”
Adding to that tongue-in-cheek humor is the fact thatFunko Fusionhas no voice acting, which Bischoff added the team knew they wanted from the get-go. It’s also something they felt would lead to better gags and enable them to lean into a world made of vinyl where characters' heads can even melt from fire damage, “exposing a toy skeleton inside.”
Why Eddy Funko Is The Villain Of Funko Fusion
Bischoff also talked about how it was an “awesome responsibility” and a “privilege” toadapt Pops forFunko Fusionby working on the licensing and creative side. Of course, in addition to adapting iconic characters like Freddy, new characters were made like Eddy. Bischoff explained Eddy has a larger role than just being the villain, as the opposite of Freddy. As Bischoff explained:
“In the antithetical, we basically wanted to personify the opposite of a Funko fan. If Freddy is the ultimate fan, then Eddy is the ultimate critic…because ultimately, everybody has a place at the Funko table.”
Whether someone is a hardcore Funko fan or not, Bischoff said that everyone is welcome inFunko Fusion, where “we’re creating characters where everybody feels like they’re at the same table”, adding that is “the Funko story more than anything else.” It’s certainly a fascinating idea, and that will be interesting to see how players react toFunko Fusion’s upcoming release.
