Projects
See what we're building and how you can help shape Melanated Game Kitchen's future
What's on the Menu?
Gameplay-driven experiences rooted in culture
Clock Out at 2
The game and its world
Clock Out at 2 is a narrative-driven experience built on the simple premise that work should not consume your life. The game explores the tension between ambition and rest, between climbing the ladder and knowing when to step down. Players navigate daily choices that test their values, relationships, and sense of self. The mechanics are straightforward but meaningful—each decision ripples through the story, shaping the character's path forward. The game runs on Windows and Mac, with a console version in development. It launched in 2024 and has been shaped by a collaborative team of writers, artists, and designers working within the Melanated Game Kitchen cooperative model. The project represents our commitment to games that matter, that speak to real struggles and real victories in the lives we actually live.
Mechanics rooted in lived experience
The game's systems reflect real workplace dynamics and the quiet rebellion of choosing yourself. Every choice matters because every choice costs something.
Dialogue trees that branch
Consequence-driven narrative
Character relationship tracking
Built by a cooperative that values craft and care
This project was developed within our worker-owned cooperative model, where team members have ownership stakes and decision-making power. We worked in sustainable production cycles, respecting the time and energy of everyone involved.
Crumble Party
Party chaos meets cultural celebration
Crumble Party and Crumble Party 2 bring friends together for multiplayer mayhem where every round tells a story. The games blend fast-paced board game mechanics with moments of genuine connection, creating space for laughter and competition in equal measure.
Local multiplayer for up to four players
Rhythm-based mini-games with cultural roots
Unlockable characters and celebration modes
Colorful chaos built for shared moments
Crumble Party 2 strips away complexity to focus on what matters—the people around you. The game's visual language celebrates culture through vibrant aesthetics and mechanics that reward creativity and improvisation.
Make games, eat together
Our jams are where creativity meets culture. We run monthly Mini-Byte Jams and seasonal competitions with themes that matter.
Monthly Mini-Byte Jams
Seasonal competitions with cultural themes
Community-chosen food and game connections
Ready to cook with us?
Start a project or join a committee today
Questions
Everything you need to know about joining
Check the Bulletin Board for open roles and project needs. Reach out to the project lead or contact us directly. We welcome members, contractors, and collaborators at all skill levels.
We have five active committees: Community Team, Newsletter Team, Game Jam Committee, and Bulletin Board Committee. Each has different responsibilities and time commitments. Contact us to learn more.
No. You can work with us as a contractor or collaborator without membership. Members get additional perks like profit sharing and committee participation. Both paths are valued equally.
It depends on your role. Projects run on flexible schedules based on YOUR availability. Committees vary from a few hours monthly to more intensive work. We prioritize sustainability over burnout.
Members earn profit shares based on their contribution to projects. The amount depends on patronage and involvement. We believe in transparent, equitable compensation for all who build with us.
Still have questions?
Reach out to our organizers