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{{Infobox company
| name = Klei Entertainment Inc.
| logo = Klei Entertainment logo new.png
| type = [[Privately held company|Private]]
| foundation = {{start date and age|2005|07}}
| location = [[Vancouver]], [[British Columbia]], [[Canada]]
| key_people = Jamie Cheng<br>Jeffrey Agala
| industry = [[Video game industry]]
| products = [[Eets|''Eets'' series]]<br>[[Shank (video game)|''Shank series'']]<br>''[[Mark of the Ninja]]''<br>''[[Don't Starve]]'', ''[[Don’t Starve Together]]'', ''[[Invisible, Inc.]]''
| num_employees = 35
| homepage = [https://klei.com/ klei.com]
}}

'''Klei Entertainment Inc.''' ({{IPAc-en|k|l|eɪ}} {{respell|KLAY}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Klei - It rhymes with play |url=https://klei.com/ |website=Klei.com |accessdate=7 September 2018}}</ref>) is an [[Independent video game development|independent video game developer]] located in [[Vancouver]], [[British Columbia]], Canada. Klei was formed in July 2005 by Jamie Cheng. They are best known for ''[[Eets]]'' series, ''[[Shank (video game)|Shank]]'' series, ''[[Mark of the Ninja]]'', ''[[Don't Starve]]'', ''[[Invisible, Inc.|Invisible, Inc]].'' and ''[[Oxygen Not Included]]''.

== History ==
Jamie Cheng founded Klei Entertainment in July 2005.<ref name=":0" /> Prior to the formation of Klei, Cheng worked as a specialist AI [[game programmer|programmer]] at [[Relic Entertainment]], then owned by [[THQ]].<ref name="gamasutra igf">{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=11058|title=Road To The IGF: Klei Entertainment's Eets|last=Wallis|first=Alistair|date=2006-09-29|publisher=[[Gamasutra]]|accessdate=2011-01-21}}</ref> Cheng acquired seed funding for Klei by selling his THQ shares earned at Relic and getting a $10,000 loan from his brother.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://thecdm.ca/people/workshop-presenters/jamie-cheng |publisher=Centre for Digital Media |accessdate=2017-03-17 |title=Profile: Jamie Cheng}}</ref> Klei had 11 employees in 2009<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/25698/QA_Klei_Founder_Cheng_Discusses_Shank_Animation_Repression.php |publisher=Gamasutra |accessdate=2011-01-21 |date=2009-10-22 |title=Q&A: Klei Founder Cheng Discusses Shank, Animation, Repression |first=Chris |last=Remo}}</ref> and as of May 2013 has grown to 35 employees.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/features/2013/5/29/4362838/the-birth-and-re-birth-of-klei |publisher=Polygon |accessdate=2017-03-15 |date=2013-05-29 |title=The Birth and Re-birth of Klei |first=Chris |last=Plante}}</ref>

Their first title, ''[[Eets]]'' was first released March 27, 2006, for [[Microsoft Windows]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://store.steampowered.com/app/6100/ |publisher=[[Steam (software)|Steam]] |title=Eets on Steam |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202125736/http://store.steampowered.com/app/6100/ |archivedate=2011-02-02 |df= }}</ref> then for [[Mac OS X]] on December 9, 2010.<ref name="mac release">{{Cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/09/eets-unleashed-on-mac-75-off-via-steam/ |title=Eets unleashed on Mac, 75% off via Steam |first=Randy |last=Nelson |date=2010-12-09 |accessdate=2010-12-17 |publisher=Joystiq}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.krugerheavyindustries.com/ |title=Eets: Hunger it's Emotional |publisher=Kruger Heavy Industries |accessdate=2010-12-17}}</ref> Between those two releases the game was ported to the Xbox 360 via the [[Xbox Live Arcade]] platform and released on April 25, 2007.  Retitled ''Eets: Chowdown'', this version featured 120 new levels and an action minigame called ''Marsho Madness''.<ref name="kotaku announce">{{Cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/254551/another-xbla-double-pinball-and-eets |title=Another XBLA Double: Pinball and Eets |date=2007-04-23 |first=Mike |last=Fahey |publisher=[[Kotaku]] |accessdate=2010-12-17 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016060919/http://kotaku.com/254551/another-xbla-double-pinball-and-eets |archivedate=2012-10-16 |df= }}</ref><ref name="xbla">{{Cite web |url=http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Product/Eets-Chowdown/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258410825 |title=Eets: Chowdown - Xbox.com |publisher=[[xbox.com]] |accessdate=2010-12-17}}</ref>

The company assisted with [[Slick Entertainment]]'s ''[[N+]]'', the Xbox Live Arcade port of the [[Adobe Flash]] game ''[[N (video game)|N]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kleientertainment.com/n/legend-of-zelda-remade-in-n/ |date=2008-03-20 |title=Legend of Zelda remade in N+ |publisher=Klei Entertainment |accessdate=2011-01-21 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124221355/http://kleientertainment.com/n/legend-of-zelda-remade-in-n/ |archivedate=2010-11-24 |df= }}</ref>  In 2008 Klei developed ''[[Sugar Rush (video game)|Sugar Rush]]'', a casual [[massively multiplayer online game]].<ref name="Kotaku">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5018568/nexons-sugar-rush-arena-in-closed-beta |title=Nexon's Sugar Rush Arena in Closed Beta |accessdate=2008-07-18 |last=Greene |first=Maggie |date=2008-06-21 |publisher=Kotaku}}</ref>  They announced in late August 2010, that development had stopped and the game was canceled.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kleientertainment.com/games/sugar-rush/|title=Sugar Rush Free-to-Play online arena combat game |publisher=Klei Entertainment |accessdate=2011-01-21}}</ref>  The company's fourth original title, ''Shank'',  was announced at [[Penny Arcade Expo]] 2009.<ref name="Shankhandon-GSpot">{{Cite web |url=http://pax.gamespot.com/story/6216832/shank-hands-on |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907222543/http://pax.gamespot.com/story/6216832/shank-hands-on |dead-url=yes |archive-date=2009-09-07 |title=Shank Hands-On |last=Tong |first=Sophia |date=2009-09-04 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=2009-09-05 }}</ref>  It was released on August 24, 2010, for the [[PlayStation 3]], August 25, 2010, for the [[Xbox 360]] and October 26, 2010, on for Microsoft Windows.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://shankgame.com/news/klei-signs-with-ea-partners-for-shank/ |title=Klei signs with EA Partners for Shank |date=2010-03-04 |first=Jamie |last=Cheng |publisher=Klei Entertainment |accessdate=2010-12-07}}</ref>

Klei's survival adventure game ''[[Don't Starve]]'' was released on April 23, 2013. ''Don't Starve'' was released in a 2-for-1 beta format on [[Steam (software)|Steam]], allowing players to purchase two copies of the game for the price of one. Before being officially self-published, Klei sold more than 300,000 copies of ''Don't Starve'' at $15 each.<ref name=":0" /> On April 21, 2016, Klei released a stand-alone multiplayer version of ''[[Don't Starve]]'' called ''Don't Starve Together'', which has regular updates and individual downloadable content.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.klei.com/games/dont-starve-together|title=Don't Starve Together {{!}} Klei Entertainment|website=www.klei.com|language=en|access-date=2017-07-24}}</ref>

On July 2, 2013, it was announced that their next release would to be titled ''[[Invisible, Inc.]]'', a turn-based espionage game released on May 12, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Invisible Inc.|url=http://www.invisibleincgame.com/|accessdate=11 July 2014}}</ref>

In 2017, Klei Entertainment acquired Slick Entertainment. Slick founder Nick Waanders and Jamie Cheng previously worked together at Relic Entertainment, which established a working relationship that later allowed the companies to merge.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/289725/On_its_10th_birthday_Viking_Squad_dev_Slick_joins_forces_with_Klei.php|title=On its 10th birthday,  Viking Squad dev Slick joins forces with Klei|last=Wawro|first=Alex|access-date=2017-07-24|language=en}}</ref>

== Culture ==
The video game industry is infamous for long hours and unpaid overtime, with little protection for employees. Co-founder Jamie Cheng thought that type of culture was not only unhealthy but less productive than a company where employees live balanced lives.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2013/5/29/4362838/the-birth-and-re-birth-of-klei|title=The birth and re-birth of Klei|last=Plante|first=Chris|date=2013-05-29|website=Polygon|access-date=2019-01-15}}</ref> He built Klei with the theory that game studios can make popular, interesting games with a reasonable budget on normal hours at a fair price and still be successful.<ref name=":1" /> Since then, Klei has gained a reputation in the video game industry as a successful studio that treats its employees well and maintains balance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lovethynerd.com/the-problem-with-crunch/|title=Why We Can't Shake Crunch and How We Can Do Better|date=2018-11-05|website=Love Thy Nerd|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-15}}</ref>

== Games developed by Klei Entertainment ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Platform(s)
! Notes
! Ref.
|-
| 2006
| ''[[Eets]]''
| Mac OS X, Windows, Xbox 360
|
|
|-
| 2008
| ''[[N+]]''
| PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS
| [[Game engine|Engine]] only
|
|-
| 2010
| ''[[Sugar Rush (video game)|Sugar Rush]]''
| Windows
| Cancelled
|
|-
| 2010
| ''[[Shank (video game)|Shank]]''
| Linux, Mac OS X, Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
|
|
|-
| 2012
| ''[[Shank 2]]''
| Linux, Mac OS X, Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
|
|
|-
| 2012
| ''[[Mark of the Ninja]]''
| Linux, Mac OS X, Windows, Xbox 360
|
| 
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Don't Starve]]''
| Linux, Mac OS X, Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Wii U, iOS, Android
| 
|
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Eets|Eets Munchies]]''
| Linux, Mac OS X, Windows, iOS
| 
|
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Invisible, Inc.]]''
| Linux, Mac OS X, Windows, PlayStation 4, iOS
| 
|
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Don't Starve Together]]''
| Linux, Mac OS X, Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
| 
|
|-
| 2017
| ''[[Oxygen Not Included]]''
| Linux, Mac OS X, Windows
|
| 
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Mark of the Ninja: Remastered]]''
| Linux, Mac OS X, Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
|
| 
|-
| TBA
| ''[[Griftlands]]''
| Windows
|
|
|-
| TBA
| ''[[Hot Lava (video game)|Hot Lava]]''
| Linux, Mac OS X, Windows
| 
|
|-
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
*{{Official website|https://klei.com/}}
<!--*[http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=11058 Interview with Jamie Cheng], GamaSutra-->

{{Klei Entertainment}}
{{Vancouver Corporations}}

[[Category:Companies based in Vancouver]]
[[Category:Video game companies established in 2005]]
[[Category:Independent video game developers]]
[[Category:Video game companies of Canada]]
[[Category:Video game development companies]]
[[Category:2005 establishments in British Columbia]]

{{Canada-videogame-company-stub}}