Klei Entertainment is a Vancouver-based indie studio that’s built a remarkably consistent track record over nearly two decades. Founded in 2005 by Jamie Cheng, the company started with contract work before pivoting to original games that quickly established its reputation for distinctive art direction and deep gameplay systems.
The studio’s catalog is impressively diverse. Mark of the Ninja (2012) is widely considered one of the best stealth games ever made. Don’t Starve (2013) and its multiplayer sequel Don’t Starve Together became survival-genre staples with their Tim Burton-esque art style and punishing difficulty. Invisible, Inc. blended turn-based tactics with stealth espionage. Oxygen Not Included put a complex colony-survival simulation inside an accessible package.
What makes Klei unusual is that every game looks and plays completely differently from the last, yet they all share a commitment to mechanical depth and stylish presentation. The studio doesn’t chase trends or repeat formulas — each project explores a different genre with fresh ideas.
Tencent acquired a majority stake in Klei in 2021, though Jamie Cheng stated the studio would maintain full creative independence and continue operating from Vancouver with its existing team. The company keeps its headcount deliberately small, typically under 80 people, which forces tight scope and focused design. Don’t Starve Together continues to receive regular content updates years after launch, generating steady revenue that funds new projects. Klei’s approach proves that a small, disciplined team can compete with studios many times its size.
