The Duskbloods, FromSoftware's upcoming multiplayer-focused title, features a diverse cast of characters, but one in particular, Zork, has captured the attention of players and director Hidetaka Miyazaki alike. Zork stands out on the character select screen with his unique deep-sea diving suit, beak-like helmet, jetpack, and rocket launcher.
Miyazaki revealed in an interview with GameSpot that Zork's design draws inspiration from Ultraman and Ultra Seven's monsters that emerge from the ocean depths. While the final design differs, this concept served as the initial direction for the character.
Zork's abilities include a jetpack charge that allows him to damage and knock back opponents, and manually aimable rockets that evoke a sense of FromSoftware's Armored Core series. This distinct playstyle and appearance offer a whimsical contrast to the typically dark fantasy archetypes found in other characters.
Miyazaki described Zork as a "wild card" character, intentionally placed at the extreme end of the character roster for variety. This aligns with the game's premise of drawing characters from different eras, extending beyond the Victorian Gothic setting to include elements from post-Industrial Revolution times.
Regarding Zork's backstory and role in The Duskbloods' vampiric mechanics, where staggering enemies allows for a damaging bite that recovers health and turns weaker foes into minions, Miyazaki hinted at his unique method. He explained that upon winning a match with Zork, a cutscene will reveal how Zork's beak extends like a straw to "suck [blood] up like a mosquito."
Miyazaki also shared that Zork is one of his personal favorites from the network test version of The Duskbloods. Players can uncover more character-specific lore and interactions through unique cutscenes that unlock in the game's hub area, tied to gameplay progression regardless of match outcomes.