Clock in, gear up, and prepare for absolute mayhem. Clerks and Quirks, the upcoming retail roguelite from Canadian indie studio ALTKEY Games, is set to launch on PC via Steam later in 2026—and it’s shaping up to be one of the most chaotic co-op experiences of the year.
Blending fast-paced crafting, management sim mechanics, and roguelite unpredictability, Clerks and Quirks drops players into the most dysfunctional retail outlet in the universe. Welcome to Chaos and Co., where every shift feels like a boss battle and even your toaster might be plotting against you.
Welcome to the Ultimate Retail Roguelite Nightmare
At first glance, Clerks and Quirks charms with its adorable animated cartoon visuals. But don’t let the bright colors fool you—this is high-pressure retail warfare.
Players take control of a wildly unstable shop that serves adventurers in need of gear:
- Swords
- Treasure maps
- Magic flowers
- Cloaks of invisibility
- And other bizarre fantasy requests
The twist? Your appliances are alive, your coworkers are walking caffeine-fueled disasters, and HR has clearly abandoned ship.
Each run lasts 15 in-game days, and every session is procedurally unpredictable. You’ll never know which hero—or catastrophe—walks through the automatic doors next.
High-Pressure Crafting Meets Roguelite Chaos
The core of Clerks and Quirks revolves around frantic crafting and shop management under extreme pressure.
High-Pressure Crafting System
Build legendary gear and magical items while your shop actively falls apart around you. Every second counts, and efficiency is survival.
Living Appliances
Your tools aren’t just objects—they have moods, personalities, and mechanics. Tame them for powerful advantages or ignore them and deal with disastrous consequences.
This system adds an unpredictable layer rarely seen in roguelite management sims.
Can You Survive 15 Days of Retail Hell?
The challenge in Clerks and Quirks is simple in theory: survive 15 days.
In reality, it’s controlled chaos.
Strategic Progression
- Upgrade shop layouts
- Optimize workflows
- Adapt to weekly random events
- Make split-second decisions under pressure
Each roguelite run encourages experimentation and adaptation, ensuring no two shifts ever feel the same.
Solo or 4-Player Co-Op Mayhem
One of the biggest highlights of Clerks and Quirks is its flexible gameplay modes:
- Single-player for solo retail warriors
- Local co-op
- Online co-op for up to four players
Coordination is recommended—but panic is inevitable.
Fans of chaotic multiplayer hits like Overcooked and PlateUp! will feel right at home here, as Clerks and Quirks embraces disorder as a core mechanic rather than a side effect.
Built by Industry Veterans at ALTKEY Games
Founded in 2016 by industry veterans Dany Robitaille and Mathieu Savard, ALTKEY Games has grown into a 17-person team based in Québec City.
Before developing Clerks and Quirks, the team contributed to major projects with:
- Ubisoft
- Mattel
- Universal Pictures
- Lucasfilm
- Warner Bros.
That experience now fuels their debut indie title, combining polished design with absurd humor and inventive systems.
Demo Available Now on Steam
If you’re curious about the retail roguelite madness, a demo for Clerks and Quirks is already available on Steam.
Early impressions suggest it’s dangerously addictive—just one more shift often turns into an all-night grind for survival.
