According to sources cited by Insider Gaming, 10:10 Games, a studio located in Warrington, England, has laid off staff following the "complete commercial and critical failure" of its first release.

Figure 1. Funko Fusion's Commercial and Critical Failure Leads to Layoffs at Developer 10:10 Games.

Funko Fusion aimed to replicate the success of the Lego games, but instead of Lego's charm, it relied on the unsettling aesthetic of Funko Pops. Despite featuring characters from beloved franchises like Team Fortress 2, Mega Man, back to the Future, The Walking Dead, and Scott Pilgrim in themed levels designed for smash-and-grab collectible hunts, the appeal of Funko Pops is hard to explain. Perhaps, with the right execution, it could have worked—but it seems that magic just didn't materialize. Figure 1 shows Funko Fusion's Commercial and Critical Failure Leads to Layoffs at Developer 10:10 Games.

According to Insider Gaming's sources, Funko Fusion's poor performance was so severe that efforts to secure funding for multiple follow-up projects fell through, ultimately leading to staff layoffs due to insufficient work for the entire team. Before the layoffs were announced, employees were encouraged to use up their vacation time, with several discovering their termination while abroad. Despite being in different time zones, they were still expected to attend consultation meetings.

A source told Insider Gaming, "Management seemed very keen to wrap up the process quickly, and despite claiming to be open to suggestions and feedback, none of it has been taken on board."

Background of 10:10 Games and Funko Fusion's Release

10:10 Games, a studio based in Warrington, England, developed Funko Fusion, a game designed to capitalize on the success of the Lego video games. Featuring Funko Pop versions of popular characters from franchises like Team Fortress 2, Mega Man, back to the Future, The Walking Dead, and Scott Pilgrim, the game aimed to blend collectible hunts with themed smash-and-grab gameplay.

The Game's Commercial and Critical Reception

Funko Fusion struggled both commercially and critically. Despite the potential of its licensed characters, the game failed to resonate with audiences, and the Funko Pop aesthetic—often described as off-putting compared to the charm of Lego—didn't offer the same appeal. Reviews and sales figures reflected this lack of success, leading to a broader decline in confidence in the project.

Financial Struggles and Project Fallout

Due to the poor performance of Funko Fusion, 10:10 Games was unable to secure funding for additional projects. Attempts to pursue follow-up games or expansions were unsuccessful, as investors and publishers lacked confidence in the studio's future prospects, contributing to a financial crisis within the company.

Staff Layoffs

The financial struggles culminated in layoffs, with sources revealing that there wasn’t enough work to sustain the entire team. Staff were let go as the studio scaled back operations in the wake of the game's failure. Before the layoffs were officially announced, employees were encouraged to use up their vacation time, with some learning of their termination while abroad.

Management's Handling of the Situation

According to insider sources, management's approach to the layoffs was quick and dismissive, despite claiming openness to feedback. Employees felt that their concerns were not addressed, and the process was rushed, with several staff members expected to attend consultation meetings despite being in different time zones, further highlighting the disorganization and lack of consideration during the company's downturn.

Source: PC Gamer

Cite this article:

Priyadharshini S (2025), "Layoffs at Funko Fusion Developer 10:10 Games Attributed to 'Total Commercial and Critical Failure' of the Game", AnaTechmaz, pp. 122