Indie City Co-Op

The Indie City Co-Op offers developers an affordable co-working environment, community leaders a space to host events, and artists a place to experiment. The Co-Op supports, inspires, and creates a flexible space to unite this amazing community.

Chicago is known for its warm, inviting spirit. It’s no different here. Someone’s always eager to assist with tech problems, vet game design decisions, or blow off some steam with Smash. The Co-Op regularly host meetups of all shapes and sizes, and keep company with some of Chicago’s best game developers. The community here truly lives and breathes games.

1871

Founded in 2012, 1871 was created to support Chicago’s digital startup community. Since that time, it has become the hub for the city’s thriving technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Today 1871 is the home of nearly 500 early-stage, high-growth digital startups. Located in The Merchandise Mart, this 140,000 square foot facility is also the headquarters of nationally recognized accelerators, industry-specific incubators, tech talent schools, the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition — the state’s leading technology advocate, a number of Chicago-based VCs, and satellite offices for Northwestern University, University of Illinois, University of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, Trinity University, and DePaul University.

Chicago’s brightest digital designers, engineers and entrepreneurs are shaping new technologies, disrupting old business models, and resetting the boundaries of what’s possible.

Come to a place where you can share ideas, make mistakes, work hard, build your business and, with a little luck, change the world.

2112

2112 is Chicago’s first business incubator focused on the development of entrepreneurs in music, film/video and creative industry-focused technologies.

Through community, educational opportunities and access to capital, 2112 creates a truly fertile ground for the professional development and acceleration of its members.

Ignite Gaming Lounge

Ignite is Chicagoland’s premiere gaming experience. With locations in Chicago and Skokie, Ignite is the perfect place to game, eat, and drink with old friends while playing the newest games. Both locations feature the latest gaming technologies and extensive collections of the newest games. Plus, visitors have access to high quality food and drinks, delivered right to their seats.

Galloping Ghost Arcade

The Galloping Ghost Arcade was opened on Friday the 13th, August, 2010 with 130 arcade games that were saved from the brink of destruction and restored for all to enjoy. In 2014, the arcade had grown into the largest arcade in the world with over 440 arcade games, with games coming in from all over the world. The concept for the arcade grew from the lack of functioning arcades in the Chicago area. While many were still open, most did not take care of their machines and did not provide an environment to celebrate what arcades had lead us to in present day gaming.

At the Galloping Ghost Arcade, their goals were clear from the start: To provide arcade gaming at a level not seen in before., offer a cost effective place to play, host professional events and expose everyone to arcade games that they had not seen in decades.

Emporium Arcade Bar

Emporium Arcade Bar combines the best arcade games of the last 30+ years with a full bar, focusing on great craft beers and a huge whiskey list. They also regularly host live music, movies, and many other types of events.

Dice Dojo

Chicagoland Games: Dice Dojo was created with the goal to create a fun environment for Chicagoland gamers to enjoy their hobby. As gamers themselves, the founders are dedicated to the gaming community and can offer a vast knowledge of all things related to gaming.

Dice Dojo offers the best variety of games in the Chicagoland area. Boasting dozens of large game tables, guests can enjoy the game of their choice and can also compete in one of our many tournaments. Dice Dojo the city's largest source of both casual and competitive Magic the Gathering events. For the casual gamer or those new to gaming, you’ll find the largest library of demo games in Chicago at Dice Dojo.

Playing demo games is always free and you can enjoy playing them in-store for as long as you like.

VGA Gallery

Founded in 2013 in the lively game community of Chicago, Video Game Art (VGA) Gallery seeks to increase cultural appreciation, education of video games and new media through exhibition, study, critique, and sale. Annual programs include Exhibitions and Events featuring the work of significant artists and game developers from around the world; Education programs are comprised of talks, screenings, and student programs; the VGA fine art print collection encompasses giclees and posters of artwork from video games; and a scholarly publications program that includes the VGA Reader, a peer-reviewed journal that highlights new scholarship about video games and new media art. VGA Gallery is an Illinois 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation.