Funktronic Labs

Funktronic Labs is an independent game development and creative technology studio working across PC, console, virtual reality, augmented reality and interactive media. Founded in 2013 by Eddie Lee and Kalin Houston, who previously worked together at Q-Games on the PixelJunk series, the studio began in Kyoto, Japan, before relocating to Pasadena, California. Its work explores the intersection of art, design and technology, with an emphasis on tactile interaction and playful connections between people and digital experiences.

The studio develops original games alongside experimental interactive projects. Its early releases include Nova-111, a science-fiction adventure combining turn-based and action gameplay, and motion-controlled audiovisual experiences such as Lotus and Collider. These projects reflect a practice spanning conventional game platforms, emerging input devices and interactive digital art.

Games and immersive experiences

Funktronic Labs' virtual reality catalogue covers several distinct approaches to interaction. Cosmic Trip brings real-time strategy into a first-person VR setting, while Starbear: Taxi uses physics-based arcade play. Fujii takes a quieter approach through a meditative nature and gardening adventure. Released in 2023, The Light Brigade combines roguelike progression, realistic firearm mechanics and light magic across Meta Quest, PlayStation VR2 and SteamVR.

Beyond VR, the studio created Wave Break, a skateboating arcade action game with a 1980s Miami-inspired setting. Its development slate also includes Scramble Knights Royale, a multiplayer action RPG adventure identified as in development in the supplied research.

The studio handles game design, programming, art and publishing for its own projects, while also producing commissioned interactive experiences and creative technology research for hardware and platform partners. Its capabilities include procedural generation, physics-based simulation and real-time graphics. Funktronic Labs received strategic investment from Crush Ventures in 2020 and continues to operate independently, supporting existing releases while developing new VR, PC and console projects.