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If you’ve ever spent time in an arcade, you’ve likely played games that originated in Chicago, such as Mortal Kombat, Rampage, Spy Hunter, and NBA Jam.
Midway Games, the company behind these and countless other classics, went out of business in 2009, but not before Chicagoland’s vibrant gaming scene had faded. Midway veterans have since founded numerous new studios, and local companies continue to release quality games for PC, consoles, arcades, and mobile devices.
Here are some Chicago gaming companies to look out for.
Top Video Game Companies in Chicago
NetherRealm Studios Barbaroga Jintronix Iron Galaxy Studios Jackbox Games Lightstream Phosphor Game Studio Level Ex
NetherRealm Studios, a Warner Bros. Discovery subsidiary, currently manages the Mortal Kombat video game franchise and is the creator of the Injustice series. Led by Ed Boon, who co-created Mortal Kombat at Midway in the early ’90s, NetherRealm currently develops games for consoles, PC and mobile devices.
Camelot Illinois is the private administrator of the Illinois Lottery. The company brings digital technology to the Illinois Lottery to reach a wider audience. Camelot’s goal is to help the lottery increase revenue and provide advice on how to spend that revenue.
Vivid Seats operates a virtual marketplace for live event ticket resale, where users sell tickets to concerts and sporting events. The company also has two product lines in the gaming space: Vivid Picks, a fantasy sports app where users place real money bets on fantasy sports drafts, and Game Center, which is housed within the main Vivid Seats ticket sales platform. Through Game Center, users can earn points and rewards while playing in-app games.
Lucky Lincoln Gaming manufactures and manages video gaming terminals for casinos and bars. The gaming company has installed more than 1,600 gaming terminal loyalty kiosks in 169 locations throughout Illinois, and equips each terminal owner with a real-time data platform that allows them to monitor and report their revenue.
Level Ex has developed an ingenious way for medical professionals to hone their skills and for newcomers to become immersed in the medical field. From clearing blocked airways to identifying skin diseases, Level Ex games cover a variety of medical topics. Accessible through a mobile app, medical professionals are exposed to real-life medical procedures and scenarios while enjoying thrilling gameplay.
Nothing is more frustrating than experiencing lag while watching a gaming event, which is why Phenix is creating a smoother experience for viewers. The company develops advanced real-time video technology to provide lower latency, more stable streaming, and a more secure way to connect around the world. As a result, viewers feel more immersed in the gaming event and are immersed in the moment.
Jintronix develops interactive gaming technology for rehabilitation and elderly care. The company’s virtual rehabilitation solutions help encourage participation and engagement by immersing patients in virtual games like skiing, soccer, and even gardening. These games are used in hundreds of hospitals, care homes, community, and home care services to help patients recover in a fun and entertaining way.
Wishbone Club creates gamified rewards programs for health insurance companies to actively engage with their customers. The company has created personalized engagement paths that include games like treasure hunts and trivia games to help players actively improve the choices they make every day to achieve a healthier lifestyle.
Babaroga develops mobile games for iOS and Android. Founded in 2001, the company has developed licensed games for Disney Interactive and Electronic Arts, including adaptations of the award-winning Spore franchise. Babaroga’s work also includes an iOS version of the popular Zombies!!! board game and a horror-themed virtual reality solitaire game.
Hoffman Estates-based High Voltage Software, the developer of game franchises such as Saints Row and Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon and co-produced the Mortal Kombat series with NetherRealm, is hailed as the best game yet for the Oculus Rift, with its latest VR shooter, Damaged Core.
Founded in 2008, Lincoln Park-based game developer Iron Galaxy Studios frequently works with other studios to port their games to new platforms. In addition to the Bioshock series, the company is also behind Borderlands, Destiny and Killer Instinct. It also owns original properties such as Wreckateer, Divekick and Videoball.
Formerly known as Jellyvision Games, Jackbox creates party games for consoles, PC, mobile devices, and Amazon Fire TV. The company’s best-known title is the quiz comedy series You Don’t Know Jack, but its portfolio also includes mobile multiplayer drawing game Drawful and Quiplash, an Apples to Apples- or Cards Against Humanity-style party game where users can write their own answers.
Lightstream develops software that allows gamers to customize their streams with additional player guest panels, logos and original images. The Lightstream platform supports Facebook, Twitch, Mixer and YouTube.
Phosphor is the developer of The Brookhaven Experiment, a VR shooter in the horror-survival genre that has consistently received high praise on the Steam store. Phosphor has also developed a number of titles for PC, consoles and mobile devices, including Nether, Kinect Adventures: Space Pop and World War Z.
Founded by Midway veterans behind the Cruising arcade racing series, Raw Thrills produces arcade classics like Jurassic Park Arcade and SnoCross. Raw Thrills subsidiary Play Mechanix also produces a number of popular arcade games, including the Big Buck Hunter series and Terminator Salvation.
