KarmaZoo
A co-operative platformer where players work together, never against each other.
KarmaZoo is a cooperative platform game from 2023, created by the French studio Pastagames and released by Devolver Digital. Players collaborate in groups to navigate levels, with the game earning generally favorable reviews at launch.
In the main "Loop" mode, up to four players work together to finish four stages chosen from a pool of 300. They must move through environments and solve puzzles while avoiding dangers like spikes. Completing cooperative tasks gives all players Karma, which can be spent to unlock additional characters. The game also includes a party mode called "Totem."
Development was led by designer Nadim Haddad at Pastagames, based in Paris. Haddad said the idea for a purely cooperative, non-competitive game came from observing emperor penguin colonies, where individuals share problems. The game took seven years to make, with a design goal of preventing players from defying or sabotaging one another.
According to review aggregator Metacritic, KarmaZoo received generally favorable reviews.
Quick Facts
- Title
- KarmaZoo
- Developer
- Pastagames
- Publisher
- Devolver Digital
- Platforms
- Windows · Nintendo Switch · PlayStation 5 · Xbox Series X/S
- Released
- 2023-11-14
- Genre
- Platform
- Modes
- Multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
KarmaZoo was developed by Pastagames, a Paris-based French independent development studio led by lead designer Nadim Haddad. Haddad stated the inspiration for making a non-competitive co-operative game was colonies of emperor penguins and working together to share problems. The game was developed over seven years, and Haddad stated the design objective was to create a purely co-operative title in which players could not defy or sabotage other players.
In the main game mode, 'Loop', up to four players co-operate to complete four stages from a pool of 300. Players must traverse the stages and complete puzzles whilst avoiding hazards such as spikes. Completion of co-operative activities earns all players Karma, a resource that can be used to unlock new characters. KarmaZoo also contains 'Totem', a party mode.
KarmaZoo received 'generally favorable' reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.
Reader's Guide
KarmaZoo is notable for its strict enforcement of co-operative play, a design choice inspired by emperor penguin colonies. Lead designer Nadim Haddad deliberately prevented any player from defying or sabotaging others, making it a rare purely co-operative platformer. The game's 'Loop' mode offers a rotating selection of four stages from a pool of 300, encouraging repeated playthroughs with different groups. The Karma resource system rewards collective success, tying character unlocks directly to co-operative achievements. Developed over seven years by the Paris-based studio Pastagames, the game represents a long-term commitment to a non-competitive vision. Its generally favorable reception on Metacritic indicates that critics found the co-operative focus effective. The inclusion of a 'Totem' party mode provides an alternative social experience beyond the main Loop. KarmaZoo stands as a deliberate counterpoint to competitive multiplayer trends, emphasizing shared problem-solving and mutual support.
Did You Know?
- KarmaZoo was developed over seven years.
- The game's inspiration came from colonies of emperor penguins.
- Players cannot defy or sabotage other players by design.
- Karma earned in co-operative activities unlocks new characters.
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