# DERU - The Art of Cooperation

> 2018 video game

**Wikidata**: [Q114944742](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q114944742)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/deru-the-art-of-cooperation

## Summary
**DERU - The Art of Cooperation** is a casual video game released on November 7, 2018. It functions as a puzzle game emphasizing teamwork, featuring both single-player and co-operative gameplay modes. The title is available across multiple platforms, including Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, and Nintendo Switch.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date:** November 7, 2018.
- **Genre:** Casual game.
- **Platforms:** Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, and Nintendo Switch.
- **Game Modes:** Supports both single-player video game and co-op modes.
- **Content Rating:** Rated "Everyone" by the ESRB.
- **Distribution:** Available digitally via Steam, Nintendo eShop, and itch.io.
- **Critical Reception:** Holds an aggregate score of 78/100 on OpenCritic (Top Critic Average) with an 89% critic recommendation rate.
- **Steam ID:** 632250.
- **Supported Languages:** English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, and Brazilian Portuguese.

## FAQs
### Q: What platforms can I play DERU - The Art of Cooperation on?
A: The game is available on Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, and the Nintendo Switch. It is distributed digitally through Steam, the Nintendo eShop, and itch.io.

### Q: Does DERU - The Art of Cooperation support multiplayer?
A: Yes, the game features a co-op mode specifically designed for cooperation, in addition to a single-player mode.

### Q: How was DERU - The Art of Cooperation received by critics?
A: According to OpenCritic data from May 2019, the game received a "Top Critic Average" score of 78/100 and was recommended by 89% of critics.

## Why It Matters
DERU - The Art of Cooperation serves as a notable example of the casual puzzle genre successfully integrating distinct single-player and cooperative mechanics. Its availability on both computer operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux) and a console (Nintendo Switch) made cooperative puzzle gameplay accessible to a wide audience. The game’s strong critical reception—highlighted by an 89% recommendation rate on OpenCritic—suggests it effectively executed its design philosophy of combining abstract visuals with intellectual challenges. Furthermore, its broad localization support, covering ten distinct languages including Japanese and Korean, demonstrates an effort to reach a global player base. By distributing through Steam, itch.io, and the Nintendo eShop, it bridged the gap between mainstream digital marketplaces and independent gaming platforms.

## Notable For
- **High Critic Recommendation:** Achieved an 89% "Critics Recommend" rating on OpenCritic.
- **Cross-Platform Co-op:** Enabled cooperative gameplay across standard PC operating systems (Linux, macOS, Windows) and console via the Nintendo Switch.
- **Broad Language Support:** Localized into at least 10 languages, including major European and Asian languages.
- **Multi-Storefront Distribution:** Distributed simultaneously on major platforms like Steam and Nintendo eShop as well as independent storefronts like itch.io.
- **Universal Rating:** Received an "Everyone" rating from the ESRB, making it accessible to all age groups.

## Body

### Development and Release
DERU - The Art of Cooperation was published as a casual video game title with a focus on puzzle mechanics. It was officially released on November 7, 2018. The development team ensured wide technical compatibility, listing support for Linux (family of Unix-like operating systems), Microsoft Windows, and macOS at launch. The game is identified as a video game instance with the Steam application ID 632250.

### Gameplay Mechanics
The game is classified as a "casual game" and offers two distinct playstyles: a single-player video game mode and a co-op mode. The title explicitly emphasizes cooperation, suggesting that the puzzle design is built around players working together to solve challenges. The ESRB rating of "Everyone" indicates the content is suitable for all ages, lacking violent or mature themes often found in other genres.

### Distribution and Availability
The title is available primarily through digital distribution channels.
- **PC Platforms:** It is distributed via Steam and itch.io (specifically at `inkkit.itch.io/deru`).
- **Console:** It is available on the Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo eShop (ID: `deru-the-art-of-cooperation-switch`).
- **Database IDs:** The game is tracked by numerous databases, including OpenCritic (ID: 6875), IGDB (ID: 68702), and MobyGames (ID: 114619).

### Critical Reception
As of May 28, 2019, the game held a "Top Critic Average" of 78/100 on OpenCritic, based on 9 reviews. The platform also recorded an 89% "Critics Recommend" score, indicating a positive consensus regarding the game's quality and its execution of cooperative gameplay.

### Localization
The developers provided extensive language support to facilitate its cooperative nature for a global audience. Supported languages include:
- English
- German
- French
- Italian
- Spanish
- Japanese
- Korean
- Polish
- Portuguese
- Brazilian Portuguese

## References

1. Steam
2. Nintendo eShop
3. OpenCritic
4. GameSpot
5. Lutris database
6. RAWG
7. Q124398839
8. GamesMeter.nl
9. GOG Dreamlist