What Shapefarm does

Shapefarm is a Tokyo-based console and PC game development studio with an international team of creative talent. Its flagship project is Orbitals, a 2-player cooperative puzzle-adventure game set in a retro anime-inspired world, scheduled to launch as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive in summer 2026. The studio differentiates through a proprietary retro anime cel-shading visual style that blends 1980s Japanese animation aesthetics with modern game design, drawing pre-launch comparisons to Cowboy Bebop.

The core technology stack is built around console and PC game development, with Orbitals featuring split-screen cooperative mechanics designed specifically for Nintendo's next-generation platform. The studio handles full production across animation, character art, engineering, environment art, game design, level design, lighting, narrative, production, QA, sound, technical art, and visual effects. Distribution is structured around platform partnerships: Switch 2 is secured via an exclusive launch deal, and PC gaming platforms serve as a secondary channel. Marketing is conducted across X (Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube, supported by exposure at Nintendo's Switch 2 Partner Showcase.

Shapefarm operates as a subsidiary of Kepler Interactive, sharing group-level infrastructure (HR via Teamtailor, privacy and cookie policies, and group-wide governance) with sister studios including Alpha Channel Inc., Awaceb, Ebb Software, and Sloclap. Revenue mechanics follow standard console publishing economics, primarily one-time license sales through the Switch 2 platform with a PC release extending reach. The studio is privately held and actively hiring across creative, technical, and operational functions ahead of its first major commercial release, with Thomas Lilja serving as CEO.

Name

Shapefarm

Legal name

Shapefarm

Website

https://shapefarm.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Shapefarm is a Tokyo-based console and PC game studio developing Orbitals, a 2-player co-op puzzle-adventure game launching as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive in summer 2026. Operating as a Kepler Interactive subsidiary, it targets global co-op gamers with distinctive retro anime cel-shaded visuals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Console and PC Video Games

NAICS

Graphic Design Services (541430)

SIC

Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944)

akta.pro primary industry

Rendering, Graphics & Simulation Middleware (MPAFAFAB)

Keywords

• Console game development
• Co-op game design
• Video game studio
• Nintendo Switch games
• Cel-shaded visuals

Headquarters

HQ city

Setagaya

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Game Sales: Shapefarm generates revenue through the sale of console and PC video games. Their flagship title Orbitals is an exclusive release for Nintendo Switch 2, launching in summer 2026 as a premium 2-player co-op game.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Shapefarm is a Tokyo-based console and PC game development studio that creates narrative-driven video games with a distinctive retro anime-inspired visual style. Its primary product is the game "Orbitals," an intergalactic 2-player co-op puzzle-adventure game with split-screen multiplayer, developed as an exclusive launch title for Nintendo Switch 2 in summer 2026. The studio generates revenue through one-time sales of premium game titles distributed via console and PC platforms.

Product overview

Shapefarm is a Tokyo-based console/PC game development studio developing games for international audiences. The company's primary upcoming product is 'Orbitals', an intergalactic 2-player co-op adventure game set in a retro anime world, planned as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive launching in summer 2026. The studio is building its visual identity around distinctive 80s anime-inspired aesthetics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Orbitals Orbitals is an intergalactic 2-player co-op puzzle adventure game set in a retro anime-inspired world, developed exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 with distinctive cel-shading visuals inspired by 1980s Japanese animation. It is targeted at console gamers seeking cooperative, narrative-driven gameplay experiences and is scheduled for release in summer 2026.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• NintendocoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerExclusive Switch 2 launch partner for the game Orbitals. Nintendo featured the game during the Switch 2 Partner Showcase, highlighting it as a distinctive title with retro anime-style visuals. Orbitals is a two-player co-op puzzle adventure game exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2, scheduled for summer 2026 release.
• Kepler InteractivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company and group entity that Shapefarm operates under. Kepler Interactive is the parent company that owns Shapefarm and provides corporate infrastructure including privacy policy, cookie policy, and recruitment platform (Teamtailor). Shapefarm appears as one of several group companies on Kepler Interactive's careers platform.

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Studio MDHR: Canadian independent studio that developed Cuphead, famous for its distinctive hand-drawn animation style. Comparable to Shapefarm's strategy of building a premium title around a unique visual aesthetic.
• Ebb Software: Stockholm-based sibling studio under Kepler Interactive, developer of Scorn. Same parent group, similar indie premium PC/console positioning and small studio footprint.
• Ember Lab: Independent studio that developed Kena: Bridge of Spirits — a visually distinctive premium action-adventure title. Comparable in studio scale, visual differentiation strategy, and premium console positioning.
• Sloclap: Paris-based sibling studio under Kepler Interactive that developed Sifu — a visually distinctive premium action title. Same parent group as Shapefarm, comparable studio scale and premium console positioning.
• Alpha Channel Inc: Sibling studio under Kepler Interactive with operations in similar indie game development. Same parent corporate structure and group-level resource sharing model.
• Velan Studios: New York-based studio founded by Karthik and Guha Bala, developer of Knockout City and Splitgate. Comparable indie premium co-op multiplayer focus on consoles.
• Hazelight Studios: Stockholm-based studio founded by Josef Fares, developer of It Takes Two and A Way Out — both premium two-player co-op games. Direct comparison to Shapefarm's Orbitals as a leading reference in the co-op puzzle-adventure genre.
• Awaceb: Bordeaux/Montreal-based sibling studio under Kepler Interactive, developer of Sable. Operates under the same corporate umbrella as Shapefarm with similar indie premium console positioning.

Others

• Kepler Interactive: Parent company and strategic operating group that owns Shapefarm and several sibling studios. Relevant as the corporate parent controlling Shapefarm's strategic direction and resourcing.

Emerging players

• Asobo Studio: French developer of A Plague Tale and the Microsoft Flight Simulator franchise. Comparable in delivering premium narrative adventure experiences on console, though larger in scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/shapefarm
• Facebookfacebook.com/shapefarm
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shapefarm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shapefarm