Who We Are
A worker-owned studio building games rooted in culture and community.
Built on equity and shared ownership
Melanated Game Kitchen operates as a worker-owned cooperative where developers, artists, and organizers share ownership and decision-making. We believe in sustainability over quick wins and in long-term partnerships over transactional relationships. Our model values the people who build with us, ensuring everyone benefits from what we create together.
Four pillars of our work
We operate at the intersection of innovation, equity, and craft.
Games with purpose
Original projects showcasing unique mechanics and diverse narratives.
Partnerships and consultation
External development, co-production, and cultural guidance for studios.
Community and education
Mentorship, events, and resources growing the next wave of talent.
Creator platform
A hub for creators with monetization and cross-community engagement.
How we work with you
We develop games and guide studios through cultural consultation and build experiences that matter. Whether you need a full production partner or strategic guidance, we bring craft and care to every project.
Build games with us
Ship original titles with a team that understands craft and culture.
Guide studios through culture
We consult on narrative, mechanics, and authentic representation in games.
Partner on productions
Co-produce with studios and publishers who share our values and vision.
Develop with intention
We take on external contracts and bring our approach to your project.
Shape narratives that matter
Cultural curation and consultation rooted in community and authenticity.
Work on your terms
Contract opportunities without membership. Hourly rates. Clear timelines. Professional.
Our Offerings
Full-service game development, consultation, and community building.
Mentorship and skill-building for emerging creators
We run workshops on game design, narrative craft, and cultural consultation. Learn from people building real games with tons of cultural relevance.
Monthly mini-jams and seasonal competitions
We organize monthly Mini-Byte Jams and seasonal events where creators collaborate, experiment, and ship small games together.
Hourly work-for-hire on internal and external projects
Get paid hourly for your work on projects until completion. No membership required. Flexible, straightforward, professional.
Four ways to belong
Choose the membership type that fits your commitment. All paths lead to ownership and shared rewards.
Co-owners and co-managers
You share in profits, losses, and decisions. One year minimum commitment. Higher monthly fee.
Active contributors for six months
Work on projects. Attend meetings. Pay three dollars monthly. Eligible for patronage rewards.
Committed for the long haul
Contribute services through most of a project. Attend required meetings. Build equity in the collective.
What you gain
Members work on projects, earn profit shares, and help shape the studio. You get real ownership and real benefits.
Work on internal productions
Contribute to games with flexible hours based on your availability. Eighteen-month or shorter timelines mean sustainable work.
Access work-for-hire opportunities
Get included on our roster for contract and consultation work. Internal and external projects. Paid hourly until completion.
Get featured in our community
Appear in our quarterly newsletter and publications. Exclusive Discord role and icon. Your work gets seen.
Earn profit shares and patronage
Members benefit from what we build together. Profit shares based on contribution. Core members co-own the studio.
Participate in committees
Help shape game jams, community events, and studio direction. Real influence on what we build and how we grow.
Work without membership
Take contract work on projects without joining. Get paid hourly. No meetings, no fees, no commitment beyond the job.
Four membership tiers, each with different roles and benefits
Choose the path that fits your commitment and goals. All paths lead to real work and real rewards.
Core members
Co-owners and co-managers who participate in profits, losses, and all decisions. One-year minimum commitment.
Members
Contributors eligible for patronage rewards and profit shares. Not co-management, but real ownership of outcomes.
General staff
Active project workers for six months or more. Build experience and relationships while getting paid.
Dedicated staff
Contributors for the majority of a project's duration. Steady work on meaningful games with a committed team.
We're small, focused, and growing with intention
Numbers tell part of the story. What matters more is the work we do together and the community we're building. Every member, every project, every game jam shapes what we become.
Active members
Developers, artists, and organizers building together
Games in production
Original projects with unique mechanics and diverse narratives
Monthly game jams
Mini-Byte Jams bringing creators together to ship small games
Questions
Find answers about membership, how we work, and what it means to join.
A cooperative is owned and run by its members. We share profits, losses, and decisions. Everyone has a stake in what we build.
Members pay three dollars monthly starting January 2026. Core members pay a higher fee. This supports our projects and community events.
Yes. You set your own hours on internal projects. We work in 18-month cycles or less. Flexible schedules are built into how we operate.
Meetings are mandatory for your membership tier. We hold annual meetings, member meetings, and special sessions. Core members attend additional officer meetings.
Profit share is based on your contribution to projects. The more you give, the more you gain. Patronage rewards go to active members.
Still have questions?
Reach out to the organizers directly.
Ready to cook with us?
Become a member, collaborate on projects, or work with us for hire.