# Shank

> 2010 video game

**Wikidata**: [Q4049368](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4049368)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shank_(video_game))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/shank

## Summary
*Shank* is a 2010 beat 'em up video game developed by Klei Entertainment, a Canadian independent studio. Known for its hand-drawn visuals and brutal combat, it was published by Electronic Arts and released on August 24, 2010, for platforms including Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: August 24, 2010.
- **Genre**: Beat 'em up (a subgenre of action games).
- **Developer**: Klei Entertainment, a Canadian indie studio founded in 2005 and headquartered in Vancouver.
- **Publisher**: Electronic Arts, an American video game company founded in 1982.
- **Platforms**: Microsoft Windows (released 1985), macOS (released 2001), and Linux (released 1991).
- **Game Modes**: Single-player and multiplayer.
- **Review Score**: 72/100 (aggregated from 16 critics on Kritikanstvo).
- **Steam ID**: 6120.
- **Website**: [shankgame.com](http://shankgame.com).
- **IMDb ID**: tt2231507.
- **Aliases**: Known as *闪克* in Chinese.
- **Sitelinks**: Available in 10 Wikipedia languages (English, Spanish, French, Italian, Polish, Russian, etc.).
- **Related Entities**:
  - *Beat 'Em Up* (2020 video game by Glitch Studio).
  - *Electronic Arts* (publisher, with 11,000 employees as of 2021).
  - *Klei Entertainment* (developer, employing 35 people in 2013).

## FAQs

**What is *Shank*?**
*Shank* is a 2010 beat 'em up video game developed by Klei Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts. It features hand-drawn graphics and fast-paced combat, released for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

**Who developed *Shank*?**
Klei Entertainment, an independent Canadian studio founded in 2005 and based in Vancouver, developed *Shank*. The company is known for other indie titles like *Don’t Starve*.

**What platforms is *Shank* available on?**
*Shank* runs on Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux. It was designed to support multiple operating systems, including older and Unix-like systems.

**How was *Shank* received by critics?**
The game holds an aggregated review score of 72/100 based on 16 critic reviews from Kritikanstvo, indicating generally favorable reception for its art style and gameplay.

**Is *Shank* part of a larger franchise?**
No, *Shank* is a standalone title. However, it shares the beat 'em up genre with other games like *Beat 'Em Up* (2020) by Glitch Studio.

## Why It Matters
*Shank* represents a notable entry in the beat 'em up genre, blending hand-drawn aesthetics with visceral combat mechanics. As an indie title published by a major company (Electronic Arts), it showcases the potential for smaller studios to deliver polished, high-quality experiences. Its cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux) also highlights accessibility in gaming during the early 2010s. Additionally, its development by Klei Entertainment—now a prominent indie studio—marks an early milestone in the company’s growth.

## Notable For
- **Art Style**: Hand-drawn visuals that stood out in the 2010 gaming landscape.
- **Cross-Platform Release**: Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, catering to a broad audience.
- **Indie-Major Collaboration**: Developed by indie studio Klei Entertainment but published by industry giant Electronic Arts.
- **Critical Reception**: Scored 72/100 on Kritikanstvo, reflecting solid reviews for its genre.
- **Multiplayer Support**: Included both single-player and multiplayer modes, a feature not always present in indie beat 'em ups.

## Body

### Overview
*Shank* is a 2010 beat 'em up video game developed by Klei Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts. It belongs to the action game genre, specifically the beat 'em up subgenre, characterized by melee combat against waves of enemies. The game was released on August 24, 2010, and gained attention for its distinctive hand-drawn art style and fluid combat mechanics.

### Development and Creators
Klei Entertainment, the developer behind *Shank*, is a Canadian independent video game studio founded on July 1, 2005. Headquartered in Vancouver, the company employed 35 people as of 2013. Klei is known for other successful indie titles, including *Don’t Starve* and *Mark of the Ninja*. *Shank* was one of their earlier projects, helping establish their reputation for stylized, high-quality games.

Electronic Arts (EA), the publisher, is a major American video game company founded on May 28, 1982. Headquartered in Redwood Shores, California, EA has been a dominant force in the industry, with 11,000 employees as of 2021. Their involvement in *Shank* highlights a rare collaboration between an indie developer and a large publisher, blending creative freedom with commercial distribution.

### Gameplay and Features
*Shank* is a side-scrolling beat 'em up game where players control the titular character, Shank, through various levels filled with enemies. The game features:
- **Hand-Drawn Visuals**: A unique art style that differentiates it from other games in the genre.
- **Combat Mechanics**: Fast-paced, brutal melee combat with a variety of weapons and moves.
- **Game Modes**: Both single-player and multiplayer modes, allowing cooperative or competitive play.
- **Platform Support**: Released on Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring broad accessibility.

### Platforms and Technical Details
The game supports three major operating systems:
- **Microsoft Windows**: A family of OS developed by Microsoft, first released in 1985.
- **macOS**: Apple’s operating system, introduced in 2001.
- **Linux**: A Unix-like OS family, first released in 1991.

This cross-platform compatibility was relatively uncommon for indie games at the time, making *Shank* accessible to a wider audience.

### Reception and Legacy
*Shank* received a critic score of 72/100 on Kritikanstvo, based on 16 reviews, indicating generally positive reception. Critics praised its art direction and combat fluidity, though some noted its linear gameplay. The game’s success helped Klei Entertainment gain recognition, paving the way for future projects.

### Related Entities
- **Beat 'Em Up (2020)**: A later game in the same genre, developed by Glitch Studio.
- **Electronic Arts**: The publisher, known for major franchises like *FIFA* and *The Sims*.
- **Klei Entertainment**: The developer, now renowned for survival and strategy games.
- **Canada**: The country where Klei Entertainment is based, with a growing indie game development scene.

### Identifiers and References
*Shank* is referenced across multiple databases and platforms, including:
- **Steam ID**: 6120.
- **IMDb ID**: tt2231507.
- **Wikidata**: Listed with sitelinks in 10 languages.
- **Other IDs**: Includes entries on Giant Bomb, GOG, HowLongToBeat, and Speedrun.com.

### Cultural Impact
While not a mainstream blockbuster, *Shank* contributed to the resurgence of the beat 'em up genre in the indie scene. Its success demonstrated that stylized, smaller-scale games could compete in a market dominated by AAA titles. The collaboration between Klei and EA also set a precedent for indie-major publisher partnerships, influencing future projects in the industry.

## References

1. Steam
2. Kritikanstvo
3. PCGamingWiki
4. GameSpot
5. Co-Optimus
6. Game Informer
7. Q124398839
8. GamesMeter.nl
9. Delisted Games
10. GOG Dreamlist
11. VGChartz
12. Source