How flesh-eating beetles helped shape the development of upcoming game Two Point Museum
When developing Two Point Museum, the team at Two Point Studios took inspiration from an array of real world museums, delving into their design and behind the scenes operations. But for creative director Ben Huskins and executive producer Jo Koehler, this wasn't just about admiring famous exhibits.
Instead, their research turned into a deep dive — sometimes literally — into the unglamorous yet fascinating machinery of museum life. From storage rooms filled with fragile artifacts to peculiar cleaning techniques, every detail fed into their playful take on museum management.
Speaking with 9news.com.au, Huskins and Koehler shared stories of their team's research, balancing Two Point County's signature humour with the authentic quirks of real world museum curation.
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Two Point Museum is out on March 5, 2025. SEGA
"We did go to some museums as part of our research," Koehler explained.
"It was really interesting looking at exhibits and lighting but also noticing the smaller details — like security cameras or 'staff only' doors. At one particular museum, we even got to go backstage, which was fascinating."
Behind the scenes, the team saw how museums managed stored exhibits, handled cleaning processes, and even used tools as unusual as flesh-eating beetles to clean bones.
"We did not add that to the game, a little bit too far," Koehler laughed.
While some details like the flesh eating bugs did not make the final cut, the research left a lasting impression.
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The more you display at your museum, the more people flock to see. Nine
The Two Point team primarily drew from UK museums, though their collective travels added a global dimension to their research.
"Every time anyone on the team goes on holiday, they send back pictures or stories from museums abroad," Koehler added, highlighting how organically this creative input has flowed into the development process.
Huskins highlighted how museums naturally lend themselves to variety, explaining that they "cover such a broad range of things", leaving the door open for endless creative possibilities.
"That's what we wanted to capture — spaces that could be funny, amazing, or inspiring, just like real museums," Koehler added.
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From the arrangement of exhibits to the creative use of lighting and decorative tools, Two Point Museum aims to let players design things their way.
Their trips also gave them ideas for some of the practical mechanics within the game.
"We noticed things like staff areas, equipment for maintaining exhibits, and the flow of visitors through spaces," Koehler said. This led to mechanics like partition walls and pathways, which players can use to shape guest experiences within their virtual museums.
Certain exhibits can attract quirky visitors to your museums. Nine
Perhaps most exciting is the sheer level of creativity the team has aimed to build into the game.
"Museums are such incredible spaces," Koehler said.
"We pushed hard to create tools that allow players to design unique layouts, experiment with lighting, and craft memorable guest experiences."
From grand entrances to maze-like pathways that guide guests through gift shops and cafeterias, the possibilities seem endless.
"We're excited to explore the history of Two Point County but also leave the door open for more unusual, larger than life themes," Koehler hinted.
As Two Point Museum prepares for its release on March 5, it's clear the game will be a love letter to the endless curiosity and creativity found within museums worldwide.
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