Yellow Monkey Studios
Yellow Monkey Studios is an independent, Copenhagen-based indie game development studio founded in 2007 by Shailesh Prabhu, publishing six one-time-purchase puzzle, platformer and multiplayer games for iOS, Android, PC and consoles via app stores.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersMumbai, India
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Yellow Monkey Studios does
Yellow Monkey Studios is an independent game development studio founded in July 2007 by Shailesh Prabhu, a game designer active in the industry since 2004. The studio is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark (per its own press materials), although the founder is described as being from India. It operates with a small team of 1-10 employees as a privately held, bootstrapped entity aside from a single 2013 seed of $13,650 from GameFounders. Its business is the design, development and publishing of indie games across mobile (iOS, Android, Facebook-era), PC and console platforms, monetized almost exclusively through one-time purchase pricing on digital app stores.
The studio's portfolio comprises six distinct titles: Finger Footie (2010, iOS top-down football), HUEBRIX (2012, iOS path-based puzzle with a heuristic hint system), It's Just a Thought (2014, iOS interactive mood/memory game with Facebook photo integration), BLUK (2016, iOS/Android physics-based platformer with global leaderboards and 45+ achievements), Socioball (2016, iOS/Android isometric puzzle with 60+ levels and a built-in level editor enabling Twitter sharing of user-created puzzles), and Sky Sutra (PC/console local-multiplayer asymmetric flying carpet game, listed as 'coming soon'). Differentiators emphasized across the catalog include minimalist aesthetics, ambient soundscapes, intuitive touch controls, built-in level editors for community content, and global leaderboards.
The go-to-market model is product-led: titles are distributed directly through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store with global reach, supported by organic social media presence (Twitter, Facebook), dedicated press kits for earned media coverage, and word-of-mouth within the indie gaming community. There are no disclosed B2B or enterprise customers, no subscription or advertising-based revenue streams, and no disclosed pricing or download figures. The founder also acts as an industry advisor for NASSCOM's Game Developer Conference and Casual Connect, lending the studio visibility within the global indie developer ecosystem.
Yellow Monkey Studios firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Yellow Monkey Studios
- Legal name
- Yellow Monkey Studios
- Website
- https://yellowmonkeystudios.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Yellow Monkey Studios is an independent, Copenhagen-based indie game development studio founded in 2007 by Shailesh Prabhu, publishing six one-time-purchase puzzle, platformer and multiplayer games for iOS, Android, PC and consoles via app stores.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Yellow Monkey Studios industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Indie Mobile and PC/Console Game Development
- NAICS
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- AAA & Premium Game Studios (PC/Console) (MPAFAAAA)
Keywords
Where Yellow Monkey Studios is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mumbai
- HQ country
- India
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Yellow Monkey Studios business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Mobile Game Sales: Paid downloads of mobile games through Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
- PC/Console Game Sales: Game sales for PC and console platforms for titles like Sky Sutra.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Yellow Monkey Studios product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Yellow Monkey Studios is an independent game development studio that designs, develops, and publishes indie video games primarily for iOS, Android, and Facebook platforms, with later expansion to PC and consoles. Its portfolio of six titles spans puzzle, physics-based platformer, football/casual sports, interactive mood/memory, and asymmetric local multiplayer genres, distributed as paid apps through major digital storefronts globally.
Product overview
Yellow Monkey Studios is an independent game development studio founded in 2007, based in Copenhagen, Denmark, specializing in mobile and PC/console games. The portfolio consists of six distinct games across multiple platforms: BLUK and Socioball for iOS/Android featuring physics-based platforming and isometric puzzle mechanics; HUEBRIX and Finger Footie for iOS offering puzzle and football gameplay; It's Just a Thought exploring interactive memory experiences; and Sky Sutra for PC/Consoles delivering local multiplayer competitive action. The company is led by founder Shailesh Prabhu, an indie game designer with awards in game design and entrepreneurship since 2004.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Sky Sutra A local multiplayer competitive asymmetric video game for PC and consoles featuring two-player flying carpet mechanics with distinct leader and chaser roles, including trail control, orb shooting, and real-time stun tactics. Targeted at indie multiplayer gamers.
- BLUK A physics-based platformer in which players navigate multiple worlds by forming trajectories and jumping across platforms. Features minimalist aesthetics, ambient soundscape, global leaderboards, 45+ achievements, a hidden storyline, Hall of Fame, and endless mode. Targeted at mobile gamers.
- Socioball A stylish isometric puzzle game for iOS and Android in which players place missing action tiles to guide rolling balls to goal tiles. Includes 60+ puzzles, a built-in level editor, and direct Twitter sharing of user-created puzzles. Targeted at casual mobile puzzle gamers.
- HUEBRIX A puzzle game for iOS that tests visual, spatial, and logical senses by having players drag paths from blocks to fill puzzle grids with paths of specified lengths, including special orientation blocks and an intelligent hint system that delivers context-aware suggestions. Targeted at casual and puzzle gamers.
- It's Just a Thought An interactive experience for iOS that explores moods and memories, in which players travel along neural network pathways while collecting Facebook photos as memories and avoiding disturbing thoughts that change mood. Targeted at iOS users interested in narrative/interactive experiences.
- Finger Footie A fast-paced top-down soccer game for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch featuring Swipe-to-Pass, Tap-to-pass, Zoom-In/Zoom-Out, and Tile-to-bend controls, designed to deliver strategic gameplay distinct from existing football titles. Targeted at iOS casual sports gamers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 60+ puzzles in Socioball, 45+ achievements in BLUK
Companies that use Yellow Monkey Studios
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Yellow Monkey Studios technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature3 records
Yellow Monkey Studios partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- NASSCOM Game Developer ConferenceminorShailesh Prabhu has advised NASSCOM's Game Developer Conference, which is an Indian game industry trade body, to facilitate knowledge exchange with independent game developers around the world.
- Casual Connect ConferenceminorShailesh Prabhu has advised Casual Connect conference in the past to facilitate knowledge exchange with independent game developers around the world.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Yellow Monkey Studios competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Playdead: Playdead is a Danish indie studio (Limbo, Inside) that also started as a small Denmark-based team making premium premium art-driven games. Same home geography and indie premium positioning make it a strong comparable.
- ustwo games: ustwo games is an independent studio best known for Monument Valley, a premium puzzle mobile game. Highly comparable to Yellow Monkey Studios given similar premium mobile puzzle focus, minimalist aesthetic, and small-team indie identity.
- Amanita Design: Amanita Design (Machinarium, Samorost) is a small independent studio focused on artistic puzzle and adventure games. Comparable in indie premium art-game positioning and small-team creative operation.
- Team Cherry: Team Cherry (Hollow Knight) is a small Australian indie studio that successfully launched a premium title across multiple platforms. Comparable in small indie team with cross-platform premium ambitions.
- Halfbrick Studios: Halfbrick is an Australian indie studio (Fruit Ninja, Jetpack Joyride) that built a portfolio of mobile-first casual games. Comparable in mobile-first indie strategy and global app store distribution.
- Supergiant Games: Supergiant Games (Bastion, Hades) is a well-known indie studio with small team and cross-platform titles. Comparable in indie premium positioning and small team creative operation.
- NimbleBit: NimbleBit (Tiny Tower, Pocket Planes) is a small US-based indie mobile studio focused on premium casual games. Comparable as a small-team operation with a portfolio of distinct mobile titles.
- The Behemoth: The Behemoth (Castle Crashers, BattleBlock Theater) is a small independent studio with multi-platform titles. Comparable in indie studio scale, multi-platform strategy, and distinct game portfolio.
Others
- Devolver Digital: Devolver Digital is a prominent indie game publisher that works with small premium indie developers. Not a direct competitor, but a highly relevant publishing partner/channel for studios like Yellow Monkey.
Broad incumbents
- Rovio Entertainment: Rovio (Angry Birds) is a much larger mobile gaming incumbent that started as a small Finnish studio. Comparable as a mobile-first gaming company that grew from indie origins to scaled operations.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Yellow Monkey Studios social profiles
Digital presenceYellow Monkey Studios financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Yellow Monkey Studios leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Yellow Monkey Studios funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Yellow Monkey Studios M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Yellow Monkey Studios
What does Yellow Monkey Studios do?
Yellow Monkey Studios is an independent game development studio that designs, develops, and publishes indie video games primarily for iOS, Android, and Facebook platforms, with later expansion to PC and consoles. Its portfolio of six titles spans puzzle, physics-based platformer, football/casual sports, interactive mood/memory, and asymmetric local multiplayer genres, distributed as paid apps through major digital storefronts globally.
Is Yellow Monkey Studios a public or private company?
Yellow Monkey Studios is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Yellow Monkey Studios founded?
Yellow Monkey Studios was founded in 2007. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Yellow Monkey Studios based?
Yellow Monkey Studios is headquartered in Mumbai, India, in the Asia region.
How does Yellow Monkey Studios make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Mobile Game Sales are the primary driver. The others are PC/Console Game Sales.
Who are Yellow Monkey Studios's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Playdead, ustwo games, Amanita Design, Team Cherry, Halfbrick Studios, Supergiant Games, NimbleBit and The Behemoth. Devolver Digital is listed as an others. Rovio Entertainment is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Yellow Monkey Studios have an API?
No public API is recorded for Yellow Monkey Studios.
What industry is Yellow Monkey Studios in?
Yellow Monkey Studios's product category is Indie Mobile and PC/Console Game Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAAAA, AAA & Premium Game Studios (PC/Console). Its NAICS code is 71 and its SIC code is 7990.