Factsheet

Developer:
Klonk
Based in Munich, Germany

Release date:
22. February 2017

Platforms:
PC, Steam
Xbox One
Playstation 4

Website:
shifthappensgame.com

Regular Price:

14.99$

Description

Shift Happens is a puzzle platformer focusing on cooperation and with great couch compatibility. At its core the game revolves around the "Shift" and the two protagonists "Bismo" and "Plom". Bound together by accident, they can shift their masses between each other. If one of them shifts, they both change their sizes: the big gets small and the small one gets big! This core mechanic allows for challenging puzzles and funny interaction between the players. Cooperation and communication is the key to succeed. As an example of possible interactions, the characters can push and pull different sized crates or throw each other around.

Shift Happens does have lots of puzzles to solve with plenty of platforming bits inbetween. Its controls are very tight and reactive and there's a lot of challenging levels that take fast reactions and concentration. Players always need to work and think together to finish the levels. And sometimes you may throw your partner "accidently" in a large tar pit to get the coins, the characters lose on death. With this side mechanic, Shift Happens also provides a small competition.

The game consists of four stages: the laboratory, the forest, the canyon and the grotto. Each with a unique art-style and gameplay. Besides the multiplayer Shift Happens also comes with a singleplayer mode that has a whole different set of level content.

History

It is the first game Klonk ever published. We started working on it during our time at university. At the beginning the game was solely a prototype for a class, but we soon decided to make it into a full scale game. The experience from finishing it to the last bit and then releasing was important to us.

We took Mercury Shift from there and gathered all the feedback we got at events, trade fairs and local testing groups. With this feedback gathered, we approached the successor Mercury Shift 3D.

Shift Happens is supported by the Bavarian fund for media and film, the FFF Bayern.

Features

  • Build around two humans having fun
  • Local couch co op gameplay
  • Two different sets of levels for great co op AND singleplayer experience
  • Fun and demanding jump'n'run levels
  • Find secrets and cash in
  • Beat challenges and unlock special levels

Videos

Download the teaser for hosting on your own website here:
Download [Full HD, 60 FPS 1080p ] .mp4
or on
 YouTube

Download the teaser for hosting on your own website here:
Download [Full HD, 60 FPS 1080p ] .mp4
or on
 YouTube

Download the trailer for hosting on your own website here:
Download [Full HD, 60 FPS 1080p ] .mp4
or on
 YouTube

E3 Trailer YouTube


Images

download all screenshots & photos as .zip (107MB)
10_shift_happens_lab_1080p.png
11_shift_happens_lab_map_1080p.png
12_shift_happens_map_all_1080p.png
13_shift_happens_lab_throw_1080p.png
14_shift_happens_lab_acid_1080p.png
14_shift_happens_lab_acid_2_1080p.png
15_shift_happens_lab_jump_1080p.png
16_shift_happens_lab_stats_1080p.png
17_shift_happens_lab_hey_1080p.png
17_shift_happens_lab_test_1080p.png
21_shift_happens_forest_splash_1080p.png
22_shift_happens_forest_1080p.png
22_shift_happens_forest_secret_1080p.png
23_shift_happens_forest_throw_1080p.png
24_shift_happens_forest_scales_1080p.png
25_shift_happens_forest_coop_1080p.png
31_shift_happens_canyon_splash_1080p.png
32_shift_happens_canyon_flyhigh_1080p.png
33_shift_happens_canyon_bonusobject_1080p.png
34_shift_happens_canyon_bounce_1080p.png
34_shift_happens_canyon_dance_1080p.png
35_shift_happens_grotto_impulsive_1080p.png
36_shift_happens_canyon_cloudy_1080p.png
41_shift_happens_grotto_splash_1080p.png
42_shift_happens_grotto_breakthrough_1080p.png
43_shift_happens_grotto_platforms_1080p.png
44_shift_happens_grotto_mr_lava_lava_1080p.png
50_shift_happens_coverart.png
50_shift_happens_lab_win_1080p.png
51_shift_happens_canyon_bonus_1080p.png
52_shift_happens_canyon_bonus__21080p.png
53_shift_happens_grotto_bonus_1080p.png
53_shift_happens_grotto_bonus_2_1080p.png
53_shift_happens_grotto_bonus_4_1080p.png
54_shift_happens_forest_bonus_1080p.png
54_shift_happens_forest_bonus_2_1080p.png
60_shift_happens_bismo_big_1_1080p.png
60_shift_happens_bismo_big_2_1080p.png
60_shift_happens_bismo_big_3_1080p.png
60_shift_happens_bismo_big_4_1080p.png
60_shift_happens_bismo_small_1_1080p.png
60_shift_happens_bismo_small_2_1080p.png
60_shift_happens_bismo_small_3_1080p.png
61_shift_happens_plom_big_1_1080p .png
61_shift_happens_plom_big_2_1080p .png
61_shift_happens_plom_big_3_1080p .png
61_shift_happens_plom_big_4_1080p .png
61_shift_happens_plom_small_1_1080p .png
61_shift_happens_plom_small_2_1080p .png
61_shift_happens_plom_small_3_1080p .png

download logo files as .zip (748KB)

There are currently no logos or icons available for Shift Happens. Check back later for more or contact us for specific requests!


Awards & Recognition

  • "Shift Happens as Winner "Best Game" at the FilmFest München, "White Elephant", Child-Media-Awards" - " Munich, 26. June, 2016
  • "Shift Happens as Nominee "Best German Game" German Video Game Awards" Munich, 7. April, 2016
  • "Shift Happens as Winner "Best Gamedesign" German Video Game Awards" Munich, 7. April, 2016
  • "Shift Happens as Winner "Best Kids Game" German Video Game Awards" Munich, 7. April, 2016
  • "Mercury Shift as Nominee for best Newcomer German Video Game Awards" Berlin, 21. April, 2013


Selected Articles

  • " "Shift Happens" could very well be the next big plattformer. "
    - Kevin Dunsmore , Hardcoregamer
  • " Shift Happens is a very good game, and that’s a statement I can make with confidence. Character animations are great, the gameplay mechanics work like a charm, and the puzzles are well-suited for a game of this nature. "
    - Alexandru Chirila , Softpedia
  • " Shift Happens focuses its co-op efforts on local couch play designed to capture that core essence of cooperative puzzle solving. You know, the old "help your buddy out so he can help you later but maybe you'll splat him against an electric barrier from time because, you know, friendship". "
    - John Bardinelli , Co-Optimus
  • " Shift Happens offers a really creative puzzle mechanic, that is often fully utilized within each level, rather than being a solo gimmick [...] (It) belongs to a breed of co-op that I'm completely in favor of; the type of co-op that asks contemplation of their players, and not just to rush into a situation headstrong and gung-ho. "
    - Jeff Wong , The Australia Times
  • " This, shit is fun! ... It's like an arcade version of Portal! "
    - Cart00nz and H20Delirious , H2O Delirious Youtube Channel
  • " Klonk Games have one goal with Shift Happens and as the release gets nearer, it’s clear they’ve executed their plan brilliantly. "
    - Ford James , videogamesuncovered.com

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Support by the FFF Bayern
The FilmFernsehFonds Bayern supported the development of Shift Happens with a prototype funding and a production funding. Thank you for your support and for believing in us. .


About Klonk

Boilerplate
Klonk is a game development studio Munich, Bavaria, Germany. With its award-winning debut title Shift Happens, it has grown from a small student team to a mid-sized developer. The team consists of ten MD.H alumni who founded the company in 2013 after their graduation in gamedesign. Klonk works on own IPs as well as contract opportunities and external production unit.

More information
More information on Klonk , our logo & relevant media are available here.


Shift Happens Credits

Oliver Machek
Producing, Gamedesign, Klonk

Robin Kocaurek
BizDev, Klonk

Elena Reinertz
Lead Artist, Klonk

Simon Kratz
Artist, Klonk

Niko Götz
Artist, Klonk

Nora Hannemann
Animator and Character Design, Klonk

Michael Schilbach
Code Lead, Klonk

Carina Bastian
Code, Klonk

Mathias Neukam
Gamedesign, Leveldesign, Klonk

Stefan Fischer
Gamedesign, Leveldesign, Klonk

Filippo Beck-Peccoz
Music and SFX, best composer EU

Julian Colbus
Sound, Musik


presskit() by Rami Ismail (Vlambeer) - also thanks to these fine folks