Client: Funko – Riyadh Season
Location: Boulevard City, Riyadh
Dates: Riyadh Season 2025
Audience: Families, Children, Adults, Pop Culture Fans
Technologies Used: Gesture Recognition, Multi-Touch Interfaces, Lidar Scanning, AR Photobooth System, Orbecc Gemini Depth Sensor
Project Overview:
Funkoville was a vibrant, character-driven world created for Riyadh Season 2025, inviting visitors of all ages to step into a living, breathing Funko universe. At the heart of the experience was Funko Freddy, the iconic Funko mascot, who guided guests through a series of digital attractions each powered by interactive technology such as gesture recognition, Lidar, scanning, AR, and phygital games.
The objective was clear: transform Funko into an immersive, family-friendly destination, blending play, creativity, and immersive tech to create memorable moments for fans and newcomers alike.
NXT Interactive was commissioned to design and develop a seven-zone activation, combining intuitive gameplay, character animation, and high-energy engagement to bring Funkoville to life.
The Experience Journey
Funkoville featured seven bespoke interactive exhibits, each designed as a playful chapter in Freddy’s world. Together, they formed a seamless visitor journey, touch, dance, scan, throw, and gesture your way through Funko magic.
1. Pop the Ball – Touch-Based Challenge
Overview
A fast-paced, tap-to-win mini-game where players had to quickly pop target-colored balls under a ticking timer. Speed and precision were key, with Funko-styled visual and celebratory animations upon victory.
Technology & Hardware
Tech: Unity Touch-Based Game
Input: Multi-touch 55” touchscreen
Gameplay: Color recognition, increasing difficulty, scoreboard
Output: Instant visual feedback with Funko-themed animations
This game set the tone for Funkoville—colorful, energetic, and addictive.
2. Sketch to Life
Overview
Guests colored Funko characters on printedl sheets, then scanned them using a scanner. Within seconds, their artwork transformed into a fully animated Funko avatar on a large display—jumping, waving, and moving in Freddy’s world.
Technology & Hardware
Tech: scanning + custom animation pipeline
Experience: Real-time scan → auto-wrap → animated Funko display
Display: Large LED screen showcasing all visitor characters
This phygital experience empowered visitors to leave their artistic signature inside Funkoville.
3. Funko Dance – Body Tracking Music Game
Overview
Using a Kinect-style body-tracking system, guests danced in front of a big screen as Freddy mirrored their moves in real time. At the end of the session, users received a QR code to download their personalized dance video.
Technology & Hardware
Tech: Kinect-based body tracking (gesture & skeleton mapping)
Output: Auto-generated dance video with Freddy
QR Download: Instant mobile download system
A crowd magnet—families and kids lined up to see Freddy dance like them.
4. Funkoville Runner – 3D Gesture-Based Runner Game
Overview
Using an Orbecc Gemini sensor, visitors controlled Freddy as he sprinted through Funkoville—collecting coins, dodging obstacles, and unlocking fun power-ups.
Technology & Hardware
Tech: Unity 3D runner game
Input: Orbecc Gemini gesture sensor (left/right/jump movement)
Gameplay: Timer- based, score-based system
It delivered high-energy gameplay that appealed strongly to teens and young adults.
5. AR Photobooth – Augmented Reality Meet & Greet
Overview
Visitors selected from two Funko characters, who then appeared beside them in real-time via AR compositing. After posing, a high-quality photo was printed instantly, serving as a collectible keepsake and gateway into the experience.
Technology & Hardware
Tech: Unity-based AR system
Camera: High-resolution camera
Output: Branded Funko photo print
Extras: Photo printed
A perfect share-worthy moment that extended Funko’s brand presence beyond the venue.
6. Save Your Funko – Lidar Powered Phygital Ball-Throwing Game
Overview
Players threw soft balls at a projected Funko world to save Freddy from obstacles. Impact detection triggered animated reactions, rewarding speed and coordination.
Technology & Hardware
Tech: Projection mapping + Lidar Based impact detection
Input: Physical ball throws
Display: Large projector wall
This hybrid digital-physical experience was one of the most exciting zones for kids.
7. Catch Your Funko – Gesture-Based Falling Items Game
Overview
Using Orbecc gesture tracking, visitors moved left or right to catch falling Funko collectibles. As the game progressed, the pace quickened, increasing challenge and excitement.
Technology & Hardware
Tech: Gesture tracking with Orbecc Gemini
Gameplay: Score-based, increasing difficulty
Display: 55” screen with Funko-themed animations
A simple but highly replayable experience that kept queues long and energy high.
Outcomes & Impact
Funkoville achieved significant experiential success:
High footfall throughout Riyadh Season
Continuous queues at interactive zones
Strong multi-generational participation (kids, families, adults, collectors)
High retention across games due to replayability
Thousands of printed AR photos taken home by visitors
By merging Funko’s beloved characters with immersive play, the activation became a highlight of Riyadh Season’s entertainment lineup.
Conclusion
Funkoville brought the Funko universe to life through technology, creativity, and pure playfulness—transforming an iconic collectible brand into an experiential world.
From dancing with Freddy to coloring characters that came alive, visitors stepped into a universe where Funko wasn’t just collected—it was lived.
“NXT Interactive didn’t just build an attraction, we built a world where Funko fans became the heroes of their own story.”