How Universal Photos’ “The Factor” Was Transformed into Funko Fusion

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A shape-shifting alien that synthesizes disparate life kinds into nightmarish variations of themselves is rearing its head at a brand new goal. In our upcoming recreation, Funko Fusion, Funko Pop! collectibles will rework Universal Photos’ “The Factor” into one thing otherworldly.

Funko Fusion options over 20 pop-culture crossovers akin to “Jurassic World,” “Again to the Future,” “Jaws,” “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World,” “Battlestar Galactica,” and extra from Universal Photos’ intensive vault (and different surprises too!), and is about for launch on September 13, 2024, for Xbox Sequence X|S.

Combining Funko Pop! collectibles and a horror film traditional into a online game could sound uncommon, however right here at 10:10 Video games we experience that shock and novelty. Our gifted workforce, shaped round a core of skilled TT Video games veterans who labored on the profitable LEGO video games, got down to carry to life the 1982 movie, “The Factor,” in our upcoming action-adventure recreation Funko Fusion. With an eye fixed for authenticity and a contact of irreverent humor, we search to embody the unique movie’s thrills and chills whereas providing our personal distinctive spin. Right here’s how we made that occur in collaboration with Universal Merchandise & Experiences.

First, we made a handmade stage impressed by “The Factor” — NBCUniversal provided unique set pictures and layouts to us, informing our improvement to be as genuine as doable. This difficult course of took six months, by which we faithfully designed the Antarctic analysis U.S. Outpost #31 and its surrounding areas, iconic characters like R.J. MacReady, Childs, and extra, and the shape-shifting terror (in its many kinds) so iconic to the movie. Puzzles, mechanics, and weapons had been all rigorously constructed to characterize what made “The Factor” so formidable over 40 years in the past.

Talking of characters, gamers can unlock the ugly, contaminated Norwegian and battle different variants of the alien menace throughout its varied grim phases. The Funko variations of those characters include enjoyable nods to the film. As anticipated, R.J. MacReady wields a shotgun and a trusty hearth ax; cook dinner Nauls wields a frying pan and curler skates across the base; and M.T. Garry holds a six-round revolver and a canine sled as a protect.

Enemy design was notably difficult to good. “The Factor” has withstood the take a look at of time on account of its spectacular horror and particular results, regardless of the restricted tech of the ‘80s. Our artwork workforce took further care to carefully re-imagine that horror by the Funko Pop! model. In boss fights with main enemies, foes flip into alien-like variations of themselves, with tendrils trailing from their mouths and bulging eyeballs coming out. One of many first enemies you encounter is The Kennel Factor: This whimpering canine turns into an otherworldly evil with bushy spider legs, spitting lethal acid at you.

Playable characters will be contaminated at any time, remodeling their look into one thing outright terrifying, bringing a way of unpredictability to the expertise. In Funko Fusion, you’ll be able to play as a variety of characters from quite a lot of well-known franchises, and every will be remodeled into The Factor — so be careful!

We crafted iconic scenes impressed by the film that followers will acknowledge, and newcomers can witness with dread. Norris’ chest turns into a toothy entice for Copper’s arms; Childs makes use of a flamethrower to outlive the lethal canine; and, after all, Blair makes use of his laptop to simulate the speed of human assimilation. Many of those scenes are as thematically ugly as the unique movie, however in 10:10 Video games trend, we’ve sprinkled humor all through to make for a tongue-in-cheek tone that brings a brand new sense of playfulness.

For gameplay, we rigorously thought of what would work finest. Every thing wanted to thematically relate again to the film, whether or not it was puzzles or fight. The movie makes use of ice/hearth and darkish/gentle stylistically, and we aimed to perform the identical in Funko Fusion. Every thing inside U.S. Outpost #31 is powered by gasoline mills, and gamers use gasoline canisters in intelligent methods to resolve puzzles by powering lights or working pipes – and even destroying enemies.

Many moments are constructed to create a way of paranoia and worry, particularly by environment and music. We licensed the rights to the official rating, and our sound designer Mario Goetzenberger used 40-year-old synthesizers like these from the unique rating, to re-record haunting tracks for memorable scenes within the recreation.

We’re fortunate that Universal Merchandise & Experiences collaborated with us to make a compelling recreation of a fan favourite as we all the time hoped, and each part is constructed with care.

We’re thrilled to ask the world to play our creative tackle not simply “The Factor,” however the many different pop-culture universes we painting in Funko Fusion. Via our inventive variations, we hope to unite new and established followers to rejoice what made these franchises so particular within the first place.

Funko Fusion is on the market September 13, 2024, for Xbox Sequence X|S. Funko Pop! collectibles primarily based on choose in-game characters might be obtainable for followers later this summer time at Funko.com and choose world retailers. For extra info on Funko Fusion, please visit our official website or observe us on X, TikTok, Threads, Instagram, and Facebook.