diff --git a/include/dangerzone/render/anim.h b/include/dangerzone/render/anim.h
index 4b5919a..ba544dd 100644
--- a/include/dangerzone/render/anim.h
+++ b/include/dangerzone/render/anim.h
@@ -1,13 +1,17 @@
 #pragma once
 
+#include <dangerzone/engine.h>
 #include <stdint.h>
 
 /**
  * animate a rectangle's position changing over time
  * => x0 -> x1, y0 -> y1, all else stays the same
+ *
+ * ONLY DOES ONE FRAME OF THE ANIMATION
  */
 void
 anim_rect_pos(
+    framebuffer_e framebuffer,
     uint32_t x0,
     uint32_t y0,
     uint32_t x1,
diff --git a/src/engine/engine_init.c b/src/engine/engine_init.c
index ab9dba6..adbb477 100644
--- a/src/engine/engine_init.c
+++ b/src/engine/engine_init.c
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
 #include "internal/engine_internal.h"
 #include "internal/util/error.h"
 
+#include <stdlib.h>
+
 bool
 engine_sdl_init_state(
 	engine_sdl_state_t **state,
diff --git a/src/engine/render/anim.c b/src/engine/render/anim.c
index 7a8409d..d554945 100644
--- a/src/engine/render/anim.c
+++ b/src/engine/render/anim.c
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 void
 anim_rect_pos(
+    framebuffer_e framebuffer,
     uint32_t x0,
     uint32_t y0,
     uint32_t x1,
@@ -10,13 +11,28 @@ anim_rect_pos(
     uint32_t h,
     uint32_t color
 ) {
-    // TODO: I THINK I NEED LAYERED BUFFERS
+    // there's nowhere to move
+    if (x0 == x1 && y0 == y1) {
+        return;
+    }
 
-    // one step is one pixel
-    uint32_t stepsx = x1 - x0;
-    uint32_t stepsy = y1 - y0;
+    uint32_t dirx = (x1 - x0 > 0) ? 1 : -1;
+    uint32_t diry = (y1 - y0 > 0) ? 1 : -1;
+
+    if (x0 == x1) {
+        dirx = 0;
+    }
+    
+    if (y0 == y1) {
+        diry = 0;
+    }
 
     /**
-     * 1. get the row / column in the direction of the movement
+     * 1. shift the rectangle by one pixel in the direction of movement
+     * 2. remove the trailing row / column left  
      */
+
+    if (true) {
+
+    }
 }
diff --git a/src/examples/2048.c b/src/examples/2048.c
index f864200..cd37b04 100644
--- a/src/examples/2048.c
+++ b/src/examples/2048.c
@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
-#include "dangerzone/render/rect.h"
 #include <dangerzone/engine.h>
 #include <dangerzone/render/misc.h>
+#include <dangerzone/render/rect.h>
 #include <dangerzone/render/text.h>
 
 #include <stdint.h>
 #include <stdio.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
+#include <string.h>
 #include <time.h>
 
 #define SIZE 4
@@ -23,13 +24,33 @@ typedef struct {
 } v2_t;
 
 typedef struct {
-    uint32_t area[SIZE][SIZE];
+    uint32_t value;
+    v2_t pos;
+} tile_t;
+
+typedef struct {
+    tile_t area[SIZE][SIZE];
     dir_e direction;
     uint32_t score;
 } game_t;
 
 static game_t game;
 
+#define MOVE_DURATION 0.12f
+
+typedef struct {
+    uint32_t value;
+    int from_row, from_col;
+    int to_row, to_col;
+    bool merge_target;
+} tile_anim_t;
+
+static tile_anim_t anims[SIZE * SIZE];
+static size_t anim_count;
+static float anim_elapsed;
+static bool anim_active;
+uint32_t before[SIZE][SIZE];
+
 void
 print_area()
 {
@@ -37,9 +58,9 @@ print_area()
     for (int i = 0; i < SIZE; i++) {
         printf("[");
         for (int j = 0; j < SIZE - 1; j++) {
-            printf("%d, ", game.area[i][j]);
+            printf("%d, ", game.area[i][j].value);
         }
-        printf("%d]\n", game.area[i][SIZE - 1]);
+        printf("%d]\n", game.area[i][SIZE - 1].value);
     }
     printf("\n");
 }
@@ -48,182 +69,149 @@ bool
 move()
 {
     bool retval = false;
+    tile_t *current, *next;
+    int k_start, k_end, k_step;
     switch (game.direction) {
     case LEFT:
-        for (int i = 0; i < SIZE; i++) {
-            for (int j = 0; j < SIZE; j++) {
-                for (int k = 0; k < SIZE - 1; k++) {
-                    if (game.area[i][k] == 0 && game.area[i][k + 1] != 0) {
-                        game.area[i][k] = game.area[i][k + 1];
-                        game.area[i][k + 1] = 0;
-                        retval = true;
-                    }
-                }
-            }
-        }
+    case UP:
+        k_start = 0;
+        k_end = SIZE - 1;
+        k_step = 1;
         break;
     case RIGHT:
-        for (int i = 0; i < SIZE; i++) {
-            uint32_t *row = game.area[i];
-            for (int j = 0; j < SIZE; j++) {
-                for (int k = SIZE - 1; k > 0; k--) {
-                    if (game.area[i][k] == 0 && game.area[i][k - 1] != 0) {
-                        game.area[i][k] = game.area[i][k - 1];
-                        game.area[i][k - 1] = 0;
-                        retval = true;
-                    }
-                }
-            }
-        }
-        break;
-    case UP:
-        for (int i = 0; i < SIZE; i++) {
-            for (int j = 0; j < SIZE; j++) {
-                for (int k = 0; k < SIZE - 1; k++) {
-                    if (game.area[k][i] == 0 && game.area[k + 1][i] != 0) {
-                        game.area[k][i] = game.area[k + 1][i];
-                        game.area[k + 1][i] = 0;
-                        retval = true;
-                    }
-                }
-            }
-        }
-        break;
     case DOWN:
-        for (int i = 0; i < SIZE; i++) {
-            for (int j = 0; j < SIZE; j++) {
-                for (int k = SIZE - 1; k > 0; k--) {
-                    if (game.area[k][i] == 0 && game.area[k - 1][i] != 0) {
-                        game.area[k][i] = game.area[k - 1][i];
-                        game.area[k - 1][i] = 0;
-                        retval = true;
-                    }
-                }
-            }
-        }
+        k_start = SIZE - 1;
+        k_end = 0;
+        k_step = -1;
         break;
     default:
         break;
     }
 
+    for (int i = 0; i < SIZE; i++) {
+        for (int j = 0; j < SIZE; j++) {
+            for (int k = k_start; (k_start <= k_end) ? k < k_end : k > k_end; k += k_step) {
+                switch (game.direction) {
+                case LEFT:
+                case RIGHT:
+                    current = &game.area[i][k];
+                    next = &game.area[i][k + k_step];
+                    break;
+                case UP:
+                case DOWN:
+                    current = &game.area[k][i];
+                    next = &game.area[k + k_step][i];
+                    break;
+                }
+
+                if (current->value == 0 && next->value != 0) {
+                    current->pos = (v2_t) {
+                        .x = next->pos.x,
+                        .y = next->pos.y
+                    };
+                    current->value = next->value;
+                    next->value = 0;
+                    retval = true;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     return retval;
 }
 
-bool
-combine_horizontal(
-    bool has_moved
+
+static bool
+merge_line(
+    uint32_t line[SIZE]
 ) {
-    bool retval = has_moved;
-    int8_t direction;
-    uint32_t start, end;
-    switch (game.direction) {
-    case LEFT:
-        // combine left
-        direction = -1;
-        start = 0;
-        end = SIZE - 1;
-        break;
-    case RIGHT:
-        // combine right
-        direction = 1;
-        start = SIZE - 1;
-        end = 0;
-        break;
-    default:
-        break;
-    }
+    uint32_t out[SIZE] = {0};
+    int write = 0;
+    bool previous_was_merged = false;
 
-    for (int row_index = 0; row_index < SIZE; row_index++) {
-        uint32_t *row = game.area[row_index];
+    for (int read = 0; read < SIZE; ++read) {
+        uint32_t value = line[read];
 
-        for (int i = start; (game.direction == LEFT) ? i < end : i > end; i -= direction) {
-            if (row[i] == 0) {
-                continue;
-            }
-            if (row[i] == row[i - direction]) {
-                retval = true;
-                row[i] *= 2;
-                game.score += row[i];
-                row[i - direction] = 0;
-                for (int j = i - direction; (game.direction == LEFT) ? j < end : j > end; j -= direction) {
-                    row[j] = row[j - direction];
-                }
-                row[end] = 0;
-            }
+        if (value == 0)
+            continue;
+
+        if (write > 0 &&
+            out[write - 1] == value &&
+            !previous_was_merged) {
+            out[write - 1] *= 2;
+            game.score += out[write - 1];
+            previous_was_merged = true;
+        } else {
+            out[write++] = value;
+            previous_was_merged = false;
         }
     }
 
-    return retval;
-} 
-
-bool
-combine_vertical(
-    bool has_moved
-) {
-    bool retval = has_moved;
-    int8_t direction;
-    uint32_t start, end;
-    switch (game.direction) {
-    case UP:
-        // combine up
-        direction = -1;
-        start = 0;
-        end = SIZE - 1;
-        break;
-    case DOWN:
-        // combine down
-        direction = 1;
-        start = SIZE - 1;
-        end = 0;
-        break;
-    default:
-        break;
-    }
-
-    for (int col_index = 0; col_index < SIZE; col_index++) {
-        for (int i = start; (game.direction == UP) ? i < end : i > end; i -= direction) {
-            if (game.area[i][col_index] == 0) {
-                continue;
-            }
-            if (game.area[i][col_index] == game.area[i - direction][col_index]) {
-                retval = true;
-                game.area[i][col_index] *= 2;
-                game.score += game.area[i][col_index];
-                game.area[i - direction][col_index] = 0;
-                for (int j = i - direction; (game.direction == UP) ? j < end : j > end; j -= direction) {
-                    game.area[j][col_index] = game.area[j - direction][col_index];
-                }
-                game.area[end][col_index] = 0;
-            }
-        }
-    }
-
-    return retval;
+    bool changed = memcmp(line, out, sizeof out) != 0;
+    memcpy(line, out, sizeof out);
+    return changed;
 }
 
 bool
 combine(
     bool has_moved
 ) {
-    if (game.direction == LEFT || game.direction == RIGHT) {
-        return combine_horizontal(has_moved);
-    } else {
-        return combine_vertical(has_moved);
+    bool changed = false;
+    uint32_t line[SIZE];
+
+    for (int n = 0; n < SIZE; ++n) {
+        for (int p = 0; p < SIZE; ++p) {
+            int r, c;
+
+            switch (game.direction) {
+            case LEFT:  r = n; c = p;             break;
+            case RIGHT: r = n; c = SIZE - 1 - p;  break;
+            case UP:    r = p; c = n;             break;
+            case DOWN:  r = SIZE - 1 - p; c = n;  break;
+            default: return has_moved;
+            }
+
+            line[p] = game.area[r][c].value;
+        }
+
+        changed |= merge_line(line);
+
+        for (int p = 0; p < SIZE; ++p) {
+            int r, c;
+
+            switch (game.direction) {
+            case LEFT:  r = n; c = p;             break;
+            case RIGHT: r = n; c = SIZE - 1 - p;  break;
+            case UP:    r = p; c = n;             break;
+            case DOWN:  r = SIZE - 1 - p; c = n;  break;
+            default: return has_moved;
+            }
+
+            game.area[r][c].value = line[p];
+        }
     }
+
+    return has_moved || changed;
 }
 
 // finds a random empty position and puts a two there
 void
 new_2()
 {
-    uint32_t row = rand() % SIZE;
-    uint32_t col = rand() % SIZE;
-    while (game.area[row][col] != 0) {
-        row = rand() % SIZE;
-        col = rand() % SIZE;
+    // collect all zeroes
+    v2_t zeroes[SIZE * SIZE] = {0};
+    uint32_t zero_count = 0;
+    for (int i = 0; i < SIZE; i++) {
+        for (int j = 0; j < SIZE; j++) {
+            if (game.area[i][j].value == 0) {
+                zeroes[zero_count++] = (v2_t){.x=j,.y=i};
+            }
+        }
     }
 
-    game.area[row][col] = 2;
+    // choose among them
+    uint32_t rand_index = rand() % zero_count;
+    game.area[zeroes[rand_index].y][zeroes[rand_index].x].value = 2;
 }
 
 void
@@ -235,16 +223,10 @@ slide()
     // 2. then combine them and shift the potential rest by one in the given direction
     bool has_combined = combine(has_moved);
     
-    // printf("moved? %s, combined? %s\n", (has_moved) ? "true" : "false", (has_combined) ? "true" : "false");
-
     // 3. generate a new 2
     if (has_moved || has_combined) {
         new_2();
     }
-
-    // printf("score: %d\n", game.score);
-    
-    // print_area();
 }
 
 // polling events every frame
@@ -264,18 +246,30 @@ client_poll_event()
 			break;
         case SDLK_W:
             game.direction = UP;
+            for (int r = 0; r < SIZE; ++r)
+                for (int c = 0; c < SIZE; ++c)
+                    before[r][c] = game.area[r][c].value;
             slide();
             break;
         case SDLK_S:
             game.direction = DOWN;
+            for (int r = 0; r < SIZE; ++r)
+                for (int c = 0; c < SIZE; ++c)
+                    before[r][c] = game.area[r][c].value;
             slide();
             break;
         case SDLK_A:
             game.direction = LEFT;
+            for (int r = 0; r < SIZE; ++r)
+                for (int c = 0; c < SIZE; ++c)
+                    before[r][c] = game.area[r][c].value;
             slide();
             break;
         case SDLK_D:
             game.direction = RIGHT;
+            for (int r = 0; r < SIZE; ++r)
+                for (int c = 0; c < SIZE; ++c)
+                    before[r][c] = game.area[r][c].value;
             slide();
             break;
 		default:
@@ -349,6 +343,8 @@ numrev(
     return new;
 }
 
+v2_t last_area_positions[SIZE][SIZE] = {0};
+
 // performed every frame
 void
 client_update_framebuffer()
@@ -373,7 +369,8 @@ client_update_framebuffer()
             uint32_t y = (border_width / 2) + j * tile_size;
             uint32_t w = tile_size - border_width;
             uint32_t h = tile_size - border_width;
-            uint32_t background_color = colors(game.area[j][i]);
+            uint32_t background_color = colors(game.area[j][i].value);
+
             put_rect(BASE, x, y, w, h, 0xFFFFFF);
             put_rect(OVERDRAW, x, y, w, h, background_color);
 
@@ -381,9 +378,9 @@ client_update_framebuffer()
             uint32_t foreground_color = 0x000000;
             uint8_t font_size = 3;
             
-            uint32_t n = game.area[j][i];
+            uint32_t n = game.area[j][i].value;
             uint32_t n_len = numlen(n);
-            n_str = calloc(n_len, sizeof(char));
+            n_str = calloc(n_len + 1, sizeof(char));
             if (n_str == NULL) {
                 game_state->is_running = false;
             }
@@ -397,7 +394,7 @@ client_update_framebuffer()
     }
 
     // score display line (single line)
-    char *score_text = calloc(numlen(game.score), sizeof(char));
+    char *score_text = calloc(7 + 6 + 1, sizeof(char));
     if (score_text == NULL) {
         game_state->is_running = false;
     }
@@ -431,8 +428,9 @@ v2_contains(v2_t v[], size_t size, v2_t elem)
 }
 
 void
-game_init()
-{
+game_init(
+    uint32_t window_width
+) {
     srand(time(NULL));
 
     // generate MAX_NUMBER_OF_4 + MAX_NUMBER_OF_2 random indices in range 0..15 (row in 0..3, col in 0..3)
@@ -465,12 +463,22 @@ game_init()
         }
     }
 
+    for (int row = 0; row < SIZE; row++) {
+        for (int col = 0; col < SIZE; col++) {
+            game.area[row][col].pos = (v2_t){ 
+                .x = col * (window_width / SIZE), 
+                .y = row * (window_width / SIZE)
+            };
+            game.area[row][col].value = 0;
+        }
+    }
+
     for (i = 0; i < MAX_NUMBER_OF_4; i++) {
-        game.area[fours[i].y][fours[i].x] = 4;
+        game.area[fours[i].y][fours[i].x].value = 4;
     }
 
     for (i = 0; i < MAX_NUMBER_OF_2; i++) {
-        game.area[twos[i].y][twos[i].x] = 2;
+        game.area[twos[i].y][twos[i].x].value = 2;
     }
     
     game.direction = RIGHT;
@@ -483,7 +491,7 @@ main()
     uint32_t window_width = 500;
     uint32_t window_height = window_width * 1.12f;
 
-    game_init();
+    game_init(window_width);
 
 	// initialize the engine
 	if (engine_init(