View source for When Ski Lifts Go Wrong

{{short description|2019 video game}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = When Ski Lifts Go Wrong
| image = When Ski Lifts Go Wrong cover art.png
| caption = Cover art for ''When Ski Lifts Go Wrong''
| developer = Hugecalf Studios
| publisher = [[Curve Digital]]
| producer =
| programmer =
| artist =
| composer =
| designer =
| released =
;Early access
:{{video game release|WW|4 October 2017}}
;Full release
:{{video game release|WW|23 January 2019}}
| genre = {{flatlist|
*[[Puzzle video game|Puzzle]]
* [[Sandbox video game|sandbox]]
* [[construction and management simulation]]
}}
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
| platforms = {{flat list|
* [[Microsoft Windows]]
* [[macOS]]
* [[Nintendo Switch]]
}}
}}
'''''When Ski Lifts Go Wrong''''' is a [[construction and management simulation]] video game created by British indie developer Hugecalf Studios and published by [[Curve Digital]]. ''When Ski Lifts Go Wrong'' was released in [[early access]] on 4 October 2017<ref name="press">{{cite web|title=Press Kit|url=https://carriedaway.hugecalf.com/contact/|website=Huge Calf Studios|accessdate=30 May 2018}}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and fully released on 23 January 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.curve-digital.com/en-gb/games/detail/42/when-ski-lifts-go-wrong/|title=When Ski Lifts Go Wrong|accessdate=29 May 2019|work=[[Curve Digital]]|archive-date=29 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529053155/http://curve-digital.com/en-gb/games/detail/42/when-ski-lifts-go-wrong/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Insider">{{cite news |last1=Seedhouse |first1=Alex |title=When Ski Lifts Go Wrong Out Now On Nintendo Switch |url=https://www.nintendo-insider.com/when-ski-lifts-go-wrong-out-now-on-nintendo-switch/ |accessdate=29 February 2020 |work=Nintendo Insider |date=23 January 2019 |archive-date=29 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229045209/https://www.nintendo-insider.com/when-ski-lifts-go-wrong-out-now-on-nintendo-switch/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Gameplay ==
''When Ski Lifts Go Wrong'' is a [[low-poly]] physics-based construction simulation game in which the player must construct chairlifts, gondolas, jumps and bridges to get [[non-playable character]] skiers through a snowy mountain setting.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://toucharcade.com/2019/01/24/switcharcade-round-up-nintendos-indie-highlights-cursed-castilla-when-ski-lifts-go-wrong-more-new-releases-todays-sales-and-more/ |title=SwitchArcade Round-Up: Nintendo's Indie Highlights, 'Cursed Castilla', 'When Ski Lifts Go Wrong', More New Releases, Today's Sales, and More |first=Shaun |last=Musgrave |date=24 January 2019 |accessdate=29 May 2019 |work=[[TouchArcade]] |archive-date=29 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529160316/https://toucharcade.com/2019/01/24/switcharcade-round-up-nintendos-indie-highlights-cursed-castilla-when-ski-lifts-go-wrong-more-new-releases-todays-sales-and-more/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The goal is to achieve success in attempts to build strong structures within a budget.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/49622/when-ski-lifts-go-wrong-switch-review|title=When Ski Lifts Go Wrong (Switch) Review|first=Daan|last=Koopman|date=5 February 2019|accessdate=29 May 2019|work=Nintendo World Report|archive-date=29 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529160316/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/49622/when-ski-lifts-go-wrong-switch-review|url-status=live}}</ref> Each stage begins with a landscape over a paper background, where the materials can be placed and a cable is attached to these structures.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/when_ski_lifts_go_wrong|title=When Ski Lifts Go Wrong Review (Switch eShop)|first=Gavin|last=Lane|date=28 January 2019|accessdate=29 May 2019|work=[[Nintendo Life]]|archive-date=29 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529160312/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/when_ski_lifts_go_wrong|url-status=live}}</ref> The game visualises the amount of stress on each attached structure using colours so that the player knows which aspects of their construction they should improve on.<ref name=RPS2>{{cite news |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/09/05/strange-indie-games-to-watch-from-gamescom-2018/4/ |title=Strange indie games to watch from GamesCom 2018 |first=Alice |last=Bell |date=5 September 2018 |accessdate=13 December 2018 |work=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |archive-date=28 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328153413/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/09/05/strange-indie-games-to-watch-from-gamescom-2018/4/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Each level is completed when the player creates a working structure to carry a set number of controllable [[non-player character]] riders to the other side of the map.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.honestgamers.com/14403/pc/when-ski-lifts-go-wrong/review.html|title=When Ski Lifts Go Wrong (PC) review: It's snow way to make a living|first=Gary|last=Hartley|date=29 April 2019|accessdate=29 May 2019|work=Honest Gamers|archive-date=29 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529160315/http://www.honestgamers.com/14403/pc/when-ski-lifts-go-wrong/review.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamereactor.eu/when-ski-lifts-go-wrong-review/ |title=When Ski Lifts Go Wrong |first=Odd |last=Svartas |date=17 March 2019 |accessdate=29 May 2019 |work=[[Gamereactor]] |archive-date=29 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529160312/https://www.gamereactor.eu/when-ski-lifts-go-wrong-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In over 100 levels, riders have to be carried across safely and the map has to remain intact.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/when-ski-lifts-go-wrong-review/ |title=When Ski Lifts Go Wrong Review: A Charming and Challenging Puzzler |first=Derek |last=Stauffer |date=3 February 2019 |accessdate=29 May 2019 |work=[[Screen Rant]] |archive-date=29 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529160314/https://screenrant.com/when-ski-lifts-go-wrong-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> There are other factors in each level, such as a [[star rating]] which counts the number of stars the riders collect during the level, and a price limit which the player should stay under. A level editor is available, where players can create their own maps to play on.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/340037/How_When_Ski_Lifts_Go_Wrong_hits_the_right_mix_of_blood_and_physics_puzzles.php |title=How When Ski Lifts Go Wrong hits the right mix of blood and physics puzzles |first=Jupiter |last=Hadley |date=4 April 2019 |accessdate=29 May 2019 |work=[[Gamasutra]] |archive-date=29 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529160314/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/340037/How_When_Ski_Lifts_Go_Wrong_hits_the_right_mix_of_blood_and_physics_puzzles.php |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Development ==
''When Ski Lift Go Wrong'' was released in [[early access]] under the name ''Carried Away'' on 4 October 2017.<ref name="press"/><ref>{{cite news |title='Carried Away' (ALL) Now Called 'When Ski Lifts Go Wrong' - Screens & Trailer |url=https://worthplaying.com/article/2018/11/8/news/111662/ |accessdate=29 February 2020 |work=WorthPlaying |date=8 November 2018 |language=en |archive-date=29 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229045154/https://worthplaying.com/article/2018/11/8/news/111662/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A [[downloadable content]] pack, titled ''Carried Away: Winter Sports'', was released on 9 February 2018, which features new modes and enables the player to compete in different sports.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/788010/Carried_Away_Winter_Sports/ |title=Carried Away: Winter Sports |accessdate=14 December 2018 |website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]] |archive-date=3 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903104421/https://store.steampowered.com/app/788010/Carried_Away_Winter_Sports/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''When Ski Lift Go Wrong'' was fully released on 23 January 2019 for Windows, macOS and Nintendo Switch.<ref name="Insider"/>
== Reception ==
''When Ski Lifts Go Wrong'' has been described as a game that is "easy to pick up, but hard to master."<ref name=RPS2/> The game has been compared to ''[[Happy Wheels]]'' and ''[[Bridge Constructor]]''.{{bywhom|date=October 2022}}
== References ==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:2019 video games]]
[[Category:Early access video games]]
[[Category:MacOS games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Switch games]]
[[Category:Puzzle video games]]
[[Category:Construction and management simulation games]]
[[Category:Skiing video games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Curve Games games]]