While the era of playable animal protagonists in mainstream games might seem like a bygone era, Darwin’s Paradox! demonstrates that engaging experiences don’t always require a grizzled, gun-toting human. For ZDT Studio’s Art Director, Mikael ‘Mika’ Tanguy, choosing an octopus as the main character was an obvious decision, as the concept of Darwin quite literally came to him in a dream.
In an interview with Mika and Gameplay Director Gilles Aujard, Mika elaborated on the genesis of Darwin’s Paradox!: “The idea of an octopus protagonist originated from a dream I had over a decade ago – an octopus lost in an industrial world, using its natural abilities to survive. Octopuses are fascinating creatures: intelligent, adaptable, and full of personality. They can camouflage, squeeze into tiny spaces, and even solve puzzles – qualities that make them perfect for a game blending stealth, platforming, and storytelling. We aimed to create something fresh, playful, and emotionally engaging, and an octopus offered us the freedom to explore truly unique mechanics and themes.”
“An octopus isn’t just a character; it’s a gameplay revolution,” Aujard added. “Its biology allowed us to reimagine stealth and platforming in a way that feels organic and intuitive. Darwin’s abilities – such as 360-degree climbing, defensive ink usage, and camouflage – are all rooted in real-world octopus behavior. We amplified these traits to create something cartoony, fun, and surprising. It’s rare to find a protagonist that so perfectly dictates game design, and Darwin did exactly that.”
While creating a character from a dream is compelling, we also pondered why octopuses have become increasingly popular in games, citing examples like Octodad, Octogeddon, and now Darwin’s Paradox! “Octopuses are intrinsically fascinating – intelligent, mysterious, and full of surprises,” Mika stated. “They can be simultaneously funny, eerie, and endearing, offering significant room to experiment with tone and narrative. Darwin isn’t just a character; he’s a symbol of resilience and creativity, which makes him stand out in the gaming landscape.”