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Jamie Cheng

Canadian video game development company

Jamie Cheng, CEO of Klei Entertainment

Jamie Cheng is the founder and CEO of Klei Entertainment, a Canadian video game development company based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He founded the company in July 2005 after working as an AI programmer at Relic Entertainment for nearly three years.14

Prior to starting Klei, Cheng acquired seed funding by selling his THQ shares earned at Relic and getting a $10,000 loan from his brother.1 He partnered with Jeffrey Agala to become co-founder and Creative Director at the studio.1

Under Cheng's leadership, Klei has developed several successful games, including:

  • Don't Starve, a survival adventure game released in 201312
  • Oxygen Not Included, a space colony simulation game2
  • Invisible, Inc., a turn-based espionage game released in 20151
  • Shank, a side-scrolling beat 'em up game released in 201012

In 2017, Klei Entertainment acquired Slick Entertainment, where Cheng and Slick founder Nick Waanders had previously worked together at Relic.1

On January 25, 2021, Klei became a subsidiary of the Chinese holding conglomerate Tencent, but Cheng stated the company would remain in full control of its products.1

Cheng's LinkedIn profile lists his location as Burnaby, British Columbia and his education as a Bachelor of Science degree.3 His Twitter handle is @biiigfoot.5

Highlights

Jun 23 · 8forty.ca
The story of how Vancouver-based game developer Klei ... - 8forty.ca
Sep 24 · youtube.com
Don't Starve's Jamie Cheng of Klei Entertainment - YouTube
Don't Starve's Jamie Cheng of Klei Entertainment - YouTube
Don't Starve's Jamie Cheng of Klei Entertainment
Dec 9 · biv.com
Jamie Cheng - Business in Vancouver
Jamie Cheng - Business in Vancouver

Related Questions

What inspired Jamie Cheng to start Klei Entertainment?
How did the acquisition by Tencent impact Klei Entertainment?
What are some of the challenges Jamie Cheng faced early in his career?
How does Klei Entertainment maintain a balanced work-life culture?
What was the significance of *Don't Starve* in Klei's success?
Jamie Cheng
Jamie Cheng, photo 1
Jamie Cheng, photo 2
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Location

Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada