Mellow’s Indie Launchpad is a new platform that helps studios hire and pay freelance developers worldwide.
The gaming industry is currently facing significant challenges, with layoffs being announced more frequently than ever. However, a new platform has emerged that aims to alleviate some of the pressure on developers. This platform is designed to reduce operational overhead and ease the burden on indie studio founders.
Mellow Releases Indie Launchpad
Through Mellow’s Indie Launchpad, indie studios will receive full access for six months to hire and collaborate with remote talent from over 100 countries around the globe. The platform is inclusive, allowing development studios from desktop, mobile, and web to participate in the Indie Launchpad.
Mellow’s internal data indicates that 5-15% of a studio’s budget is allocated to operational overheads, which can contribute to founder burnout. Managing contractors manually can cost indie studios between $5,000 and $15,000 and require 100 to 300 hours of work each quarter. The new program will include Mellow’s Contractor Management platform, which simplifies hiring, contracting, legal paperwork, and invoicing. Additionally, it features AI Scout, a tool that helps project leads quickly find suitable freelancers for specific roles.
Here’s what the VP of Growth at Mellow, Alexander Norovyatkin, shared:
“Working closely with numerous indie studios, we’ve seen firsthand the heavy financial pressure they face. In today’s volatile market, it’s only getting harder. We cannot change market turbulence, but we can provide a safe space where studios can manage their teams, eliminate paperwork, and reduce administrative costs. Our goal is to free up resources for what matters most: creating new worlds.”
Talking about layoffs, GTFO developers have confirmed mass layoffs as a part of significant restructuring. Highguard developer Wildlight Entertainment also recently had mass layoffs. What are your thoughts on Mellow’s Indie Launchpad? Leave your thoughts down in the comments, and join the official Insider Gaming Discord server.
For more information from Insider Gaming, read about Battlefield 6 developers taking measures to avoid future delays. Don’t forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter.



