Chicago Makes Games

Chicago’s first Indie Games festival celebrates games that create social play, feature alternative controls, or promote community diversity.

A members-driven community for project work and collaboration with special focus on game development and creative and technical disciplines.

A charitable organization that unites gaming and nerd communities to do good around Chicagoland.

Chicagoland gamers, GMs, and creators working to make this city the TTRPG capital of the multiverse.

Meetup group providing constructive criticism, design suggestions and industry support among board game designers during playtests.

Annual community event! A hands-on opportunity for the public to test in-development games, provide feedback, and celebrate Chicago’s thriving game and design communities.

Meetup catering to aspiring game developers that further the boundaries of play.

A monthly social gathering for game developers of all disciplines and proficiencies. Ask for a Discord invite!

Local chapter of the International Game Developers Association focused on improving the games industry.

A monthly forum for Midwest-based developers learning, playtesting, and talking about indie games. Extremely active Discord! Also runs the one-day con Chicago Indie Game Showcase aka C.I.G.S.

Independent game developers, students, and fans welcoming amateurs and professionals who create and play video games. Meetups last 2 hours.

Community-based game development, exhibitions, and educational resources.

Roleplaying game design collective and community with a focus on developing unique games and supplements that drive deep stories at the table.

This non-profit seeks to increase cultural appreciation and education of video games through exhibition, study, and sale of art.

The Weston Game Lab at the University of Chicago features a classroom, studio, and open work areas for collaborative games that produce social impact or experiment with form.