Funhouse Design

Funhouse Design, established in 1991, emerged as a notable player in the multimedia gaming landscape with a focus on puzzle games. The studio was formed when producer Sarina Simon collaborated with renowned puzzle designer Cliff Johnson, who had previously created successful Hypercard prototypes. With a substantial budget of $4 million, Funhouse aimed to develop three titles for the Philips CD-I platform. The core team, known as "FunHeads," included key figures such as Gordon Brooks, Paul Mithra, Brian Allgeier, Doran Fish, Brad Parker, Kelly Holthaus, and Clayton Wishoff, with Jim Andron handling all musical compositions.

Among their most recognized projects is "Merlin's Apprentice," which showcased innovative gameplay mechanics and rich multimedia elements. Funhouse Design's contributions to the gaming industry included advancements in interactive storytelling and puzzle design, influencing future titles in the genre. The studio specialized in creating engaging puzzle and adventure games, leveraging cutting-edge technology for its time. Despite its relatively short lifespan, Funhouse Design garnered acclaim for its creative output, leaving a lasting impact on the multimedia gaming sector before its closure in 1995.