[centizen]

It only makes sense really, Chicago has been the ground zero for pinball since it's inception. Chicago Coin, Stern, Bally, Gottlieb and Genco were all operating out of that area. Stern is still operating today and is the main company pushing competitive pinball.

[njepa]

> It only makes sense really

Surprisingly few places seem to culturally benefit from the presence of companies. But I guess selling heavy equipment for public use helps.

[bluedino]

Chicago has a ton of coin-op history as well. Midway made games like NBA Jam and Mortal Kombat there.

Is game dev still happening in Chicago?

[cableshaft]

Nowhere near as much as it used to be. A lot of companies shuttered and talent left the area a couple of decades ago. Off the top of my head, the main companies that are still in the area are NetherRealm, Wargaming.net, Barbaroga, WMS Gaming, JackBox, Iron Galaxy, and in the suburbs are Raw Thrills, Incredible Technologies, Play Mechanix, and High Voltage. That might be it.

Only a few of those companies seem to be actively hiring.

Midway closed (and part of it became NetherRealm), there used to be an Electronic Arts office, a Disney Interactive office, Robomodo, Sega was around when they did arcade games, Game Refuge might still exist but it's barely still kicking, Yuke's used to have a satellite office here but that shut down, probably a bunch of others, but nowadays it's difficult to be a game dev and live in Chicago. Part of the reason I'm not in the industry anymore.

[dvtrn]

Midway Games is still around actually in its new and evolved form: NeverRealm Games and Mortal Kombat 11 is coming very soon. Their offices are a short bike ride away from where I live on Chicago’s northwest side.

Happy to report they’re doing very well and releasing as great of fighter game as they did back in the good ol days :)

[sct202]

Jackbox is in Chicago.