our story

Monomi Park is an independent video game development studio known for creating the popular Slime Rancher series. Founded in 2014 by Nick Popovich and Mike Thomas, it is based in San Mateo, California, a vibrant and beautiful place to live and work. Monomi Park was created to be different: it puts people first every step of the way, while still managing to craft original, hit games.

culture & vibe

Take a walk through Monomi Park, where indie spirit meets a passion for play in the heart of sunny San Mateo.

Making games at Monomi Park means being creative, innovative, and willing to iterate on interesting ideas. It's a place that respects both the unique work each person can create and the person behind that work. The vibe’s laid-back but focused—we don't just come up with bold concepts, we see them through.

We’re a tight team, driven by a shared love for doing things differently.

our values

  • Integrity. We seek to understand our responsibilities, fulfill commitments, hold ourselves accountable, and elevate the industry. We're pioneers, not followers.

  • Sustainability. We're a no-crunch studio that makes careful choices to secure the longevity of our games, partners, and studio. We put people first.

  • Discovery. We relentlessly cultivate creativity, skill, and quality, executing big ideas with artistry. We thrive in trial-and-error exploration and brilliance through iteration.

  • Inclusion. We invite other perspectives to the table to cultivate communication, transcend barriers, and show how every voice matters in both our games and the studio.

meet the people that started it all

the founders

Nick Popovich

Nick Popovich is the co-founder and CEO of Monomi Park. A creative at heart, Nick spent many years leading development on Spiral Knights at Sega before teaming up with Mike Thomas to found Monomi Park. As the game director for Slime Rancher, he’s known for his thoughtful approach to game design, serving on the GDC Design Advisory Board, and earning a Breakthrough Award nomination at the Golden Joystick Awards. Nick’s all about fostering a healthy work-life balance at Monomi Park, believing it’s the key to making games that bring joy to millions.

Mike Thomas

Mike Thomas is the co-founder and CTO of Monomi Park. He led development of Puzzle Pirates at Three Rings Design for many years before teaming up with Nick to found Monomi Park. Mike is hands-on with the studio’s technical direction, and is able to guide the team through enormous, technical challenges that lie under the hood of the whimsical worlds we create. He’s a passionate game engineer who thrives on collaboration, always working to make sure the team’s ideas shine through in every project!

our accolades

Best Early Access LaunchGolden Joystick Awards 2022 Winner (Slime Rancher 2)
Best 3D VisualsUnity Awards 2023 Winner (Slime Rancher 2)
Most Adorable GameGame Informer’s End of Generation Awards 2020 Winner (Slime Rancher)
Best Simulation GameGame Informer’s Best of 2017 Awards Winner (Slime Rancher)
A Best Selling Indie GameNintendo Switch 2021 (Slime Rancher: Plortable Edition)
Sit Back and RelaxThe Steam Awards 2022 Nominee (Slime Rancher 2)
Best GameplayBrazil's Independent Games Festival 2018 Nominee (Slime Rancher)
Debut GameBAFTA 2018 Nominee (Slime Rancher)
Best Debut Indie GameThe Game Awards 2017 Nominee (Slime Rancher)
Best Indie GameGolden Joystick Awards 2017 Nominee (Slime Rancher)
Xbox Game of the YearGolden Joystick Awards 2017 Nominee (Slime Rancher)
Breakthrough AwardGolden Joystick Awards 2017 Nominee (Nick Popovich)

drop by, say hi!

come join the community!

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