Gotham Gaming Is Bringing Inclusive Play to Chicago: Why This Launch Matters and How It Could Level Up the City’s Scene

Chicago’s about to get a new checkpoint for LGBTQ+ gamers, and I’m honestly hyped to see this happening. A fresh nonprofit called Gotham Gaming is officially launching in the city with a mission built on community, inclusivity, and all the forms of play we love—console, PC, tabletop, and beyond. According to a Windy City Times report, the org was founded by Jonny Saldana and Clementina Salucci and is celebrating with a launch party on October 10 at Kinowerks, 5645 N. Ravenswood Ave., in Ravenswood. Expect video game stations, tabletop sessions, and local community partners showing up to connect people through play.

That’s not just feel-good fluff. In 2025, safe and intentional gaming spaces are as necessary as decent netcode. Whether you’re grinding ranked in Street Fighter 6 or running a cozy Stardew Valley co-op farm, everyone deserves to play without harassment, gatekeeping, or exhaustion from constantly filtering their identity. Gotham Gaming’s debut feels like Chicago leveling up an inclusive hub the city’s been quietly building for years.

Who Is Gotham Gaming, and What Are They Trying to Build?

Gotham Gaming is a new LGBTQ+ gaming nonprofit based in Chicago, founded by Jonny Saldana and Clementina Salucci. Their official launch is happening October 10 at Kinowerks in Ravenswood (5645 N. Ravenswood Ave.). The kickoff is set to feature console and PC play stations, tabletop setups, and opportunities to link with community partners.

That “community partners” part is a big deal. It usually means they’re not just hosting one-off parties—they’re planning ongoing programs and want to build bridges with local groups, dev studios, esports orgs, schools, and mental health resources. If you’ve seen how groups like GaymerX, NYC Gaymers, or local fighting game weeklies have grown into pillars for their communities, you know how impactful that consistency can be.

Based on their debut event and mission, here’s the vibe Gotham Gaming is aiming for:

• Regular, safe gatherings where LGBTQ+ gamers and allies can play and hang out
• A mix of digital and analog—controllers and character sheets, LANs and board game nights
• Programming that scales: casual meetups, tournaments, dev talks, charity streams, workshops
• Partnerships that bring resources, jobs, mentorship, and visibility to queer gamers and creators

This checks a lot of the boxes that make community-led orgs actually sustainable instead of burning out after the initial hype.

Why Chicago Is Perfect for This Move

Chicago’s gaming scene is low-key stacked. You’ve got universities with strong game design programs (shout out DePaul and Columbia College), indie developers shipping cool projects, and a proud fighting game community with roots that go back decades. Arcades like Logan Arcade and Emporium still pop off, Galloping Ghost is a whole museum-sized vibe out in the suburbs, and events across the city constantly remind you that “LAN party” never went out of style.

What’s been missing is more dedicated infrastructure for LGBTQ+ gamers across multiple formats—especially a hub that ties in tabletop and tech. When a nonprofit steps up with a mission to do exactly that, it changes the energy from “random pop-up night” to “expectations and momentum.” If they play this right, Gotham Gaming could become the place where:

• Tournaments feel welcoming to newcomers and vets alike
• Casual game nights are actually casual (no weird vibes at the setups)
• Tabletop and video game communities cross-pollinate
• Developers and streamers find collaborators and audiences

It also matters for the city’s reputation. When travelers think of inclusive nerd culture, they often name San Francisco, Seattle, NYC. Chicago deserves a spot in that conversation—and not just because C2E2 is massive. Dedicated, year-round community support is what keeps people showing up long after a convention lights go out.

Launch Party Breakdown: What to Expect at Kinowerks

The launch is slated for October 10 at Kinowerks in Ravenswood (5645 N. Ravenswood Ave.). If you’ve never been, the neighborhood is easy to reach with public transit and isn’t short on food spots to regroup before or after. The event will have:

• Video gaming stations: Expect a spread across platforms—PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch docks, and some solid PC setups. If they’re running modern multiplayer, look for TVs with low input lag (under 10ms) or 144 Hz gaming monitors for fighters and shooters. Fingers crossed for a couple of fight sticks and the Xbox Adaptive Controller for inclusive access.
• Tabletop gaming: Demo-friendly board games like Azul, Codenames, and Splendor are easy wins, but I’m hoping for D&D one-shots and indie TTRPGs like Thirsty Sword Lesbians or Wanderhome—games that explicitly hold space for queer stories.
• Community partners: This could mean local LGBTQ+ orgs, student groups from DePaul/Columbia, indie devs showing builds, or health resources offering info. The smart move is curating partners so folks leave with more than a Discord invite—they leave with support networks.

Pro tip if you’re rolling through: bring your controller if you have a favorite. Label it with a piece of tape. If you’ve got accessibility needs, don’t be shy about asking staff what accommodations they can offer—this launch is the perfect time for them to show how seriously they take it.

For event details and updates, check the original coverage at Windy City Times and keep an eye on Gotham Gaming’s socials once they’re public.

The Tech That Makes Inclusive Events Actually Work

Throwing a gaming event isn’t just plugging in consoles and praying the Wi-Fi behaves. If Gotham Gaming wants to scale, here’s the tech blueprint that turns a launch into a legacy:

Display and Latency

• Monitors: 1080p or 1440p 144 Hz panels with low response times (1 ms) for fighters and shooters. VRR support (G-Sync/FreeSync) helps on PC to smooth out frame pacing.
• TVs: If using TVs for couch co-op, look for Game Mode with sub-10ms input lag. The LG C-series OLEDs are popular for their near-instantaneous response and gorgeous color, especially for games like Street Fighter 6 and Rocket League.

Control Setups

• Choice matters: Offer DualSense, Xbox Wireless, Switch Pro controllers, and at least two fight sticks for FGC titles. Add a few mechanical keyboards for PC players who live on WASD.
• Accessibility: Keep an Xbox Adaptive Controller on hand with common modules. Ask attendees ahead of time about specific needs—switches, mounts, or alternative input methods.

Audio and Streaming

• Audio: Splitters and small mixers go a long way. Provide a couple of headsets with decent noise isolation so folks can focus in busy rooms.
• Streaming: A capture chain of HDMI→Capture Card (Elgato 4K60 Pro or HD60 X for consoles)→OBS on a dedicated PC keeps broadcasts clean. NDI is clutch for wireless camera feeds around the room.
• Captions: Use OBS plug-ins or services like Web Captioner to serve live captions for streams and stage moments. Accessibility isn’t optional.

Network and Security

• LAN first: Wire as many stations as possible with gigabit switches. Wireless is fine for casual play, but tournaments deserve Ethernet.
• Moderation: On-site, clearly posted conduct guidelines and identifiable staff. Online, protect streams with AutoMod and strong chat rules. If Discord is the community hub, use verification flows and tiered roles to prevent raids.

If you’re building your own gaming setup at home and want a detailed breakdown of gear and layout, I’ve got a full guide you can steal ideas from: my complete gaming setup guide.

Programming Ideas That Could Turn Gotham Gaming into a Pillar

It’s easy to host one fun night. The real test is month six. If Gotham Gaming wants to stick, a smart content calendar is everything. Here’s what would keep people coming back:

FGC Nights with Real Structure

• Street Fighter 6: Rollback netcode, spectate-friendly, and perfect for beginner brackets. Weekly learn-to-lab sessions where vets help players with frame data and matchup knowledge make it welcoming.
• Tekken 8: Heat system is wild and the game’s onboarding is better than old Tekken. Running a “Rookie Rumble” night could be a vibe. I’ve got tips in my Tekken 8 guide if you’re trying to step up.
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Locals are always popping, but make sure rulesets are posted early. Provide multiple setups to prevent queue fatigue.
• Mortal Kombat 1: Flashy spectacle, beginner-friendly inputs, great for tournament streams.

Cozy Multiplayer and Social Decompression

• Jackbox and party nights: Easy to join, great icebreakers, but moderate tightly to keep it safe.
• Minecraft or Valheim servers: Long-term community projects with seasonal resets. Spotlight builders and modders.
• Co-op showcase: Overcooked, PlateUp!, Stardew Valley, Lethal Company. Rotate themes to avoid burnout.

Tabletop with Safety Tools Built In

• Session zero for campaigns: Set tone, boundaries, and character arcs.
• Safety tools: X-card, Lines & Veils, Open Door—normalize them from day one.
• One-shot nights: Perfect for new players testing the waters. Bonus points for teachers who walk people through character creation.

Creator and Career Energy

• Content creator labs: How to set up OBS, scene transitions, audio filters, and copyright-safe music. If you’ve read my rig deep dives, you know I’ll always stan capture cards with reliable passthrough and low latency.
• Dev meetups: Bring indie devs for playable builds. Host Q&A panels on narrative design, accessibility testing, and pitching to publishers.
• Charity streams: Partner with local orgs and run 12-hour marathons. Community plus purpose is powerful.

With smart structure, Gotham Gaming can be more than an event—it can be a pipeline for careers, friendships, and creative collabs.

What Gamers Actually Care About: Safety, Fairness, Access

Let’s talk core values from a player’s perspective. Fancy venues are cool, but I’ll take a community center with good vibes and fair brackets over a flashy space with chaos any day.

Safety That’s Visible, Not Just Promised

• Clear code of conduct at every door and every Discord channel
• Trained staff who can de-escalate and enforce rules without power tripping
• No tolerance for slurs, harassment, or “jokes” at someone else’s expense
• Private check-in channels for reporting issues

Fair Play and Good Admin

• Bracket transparency (Challonge/Start.gg links posted early)
• Consistent rulesets and patch notes announced in advance
• Functioning hardware at every station and backup cables/controllers
• Reasonable match pacing so people aren’t sitting for 90 minutes between sets

True Accessibility

• Wheelchair-accessible entrances and restrooms
• Seating options for folks who can’t stand all night
• Captioning on stage streams and microphones for announcements
• Adaptive controllers and flexible input setups

If Gotham Gaming nails these fundamentals, the rest falls into place. People talk. Word spreads. The community grows because it feels good to be there.

Pros and Cons: Community Nonprofit vs. Big Corporate Events

It’s worth being real about the trade-offs. Here’s how community-led spaces like Gotham Gaming stack up against large-scale, corporate-style events:

Pros

• Culture-first: Everything centers the players, not profit. Better vibes.
• Consistency: Recurring events beat one giant expo for building friendships and skill.
• Flexibility: They can pivot fast—add a new game, host a workshop, try new formats.
• Local impact: Money and attention stay in the community, supporting nearby businesses and creators.

Cons

• Budget limitations: Less flashy gear or prizes at first
• Volunteer bandwidth: Burnout risk if too few people do too much
• Growing pains: Policies and processes take time to solidify

But honestly, with smart partnerships and a sustainable plan, those cons can be managed. A few sponsors—think controllers from Logitech G, headsets from HyperX, or venue discounts—can stretch resources a long way without changing the mission.

How Gotham Gaming Can Become a Model for Inclusive Play

To move from “great launch” to “great legacy,” I’d love to see Gotham Gaming consider these long-term plays:

• Hybrid programming: Every major in-person event mirrored with a Discord or Twitch alternative. Stream panels, post VODs, archive rules, and build power-user volunteers who run online lobbies.
• Skill pathways: Newcomer brackets that feed into intermediate nights, then into open tournaments. Coaching circles for fighting games and shooters.
• Mentorship: Pair aspiring streamers with experienced creators for tech and on-camera coaching. If you’re picking a GPU for streaming and capture-heavy workflows, peep my RTX 5090 review for headroom talk—overkill for many, but enlightening for future-proofing.
• Dev collabs: Host regular playtests with local studios and students. Inclusive feedback cycles improve games and empower players.
• Community grants: Microgrants or equipment loans for creators and teams who need gear to get started.
• Annual anchor event: A Gotham Gaming weekend with tournaments, talks, indie showcase, and charity drive—Chicago’s own inclusive mini-con.

Tabletop Love: Where Storytelling and Safety Shine

Tabletop is a secret weapon for community-building. You don’t need a thousand-dollar GPU to tell a great story. You need a table, patience, safety tools, and a GM with good vibes. Some ideas I hope to see:

• Queer-led campaigns: Center queer narratives in D&D, Monsterhearts, Thirsty Sword Lesbians, Wanderhome, and City of Mist.
• GM training: Workshops on pacing, consent, spotlight sharing, and conflict resolution.
• Safety baked in: Normalize Lines & Veils during session zero. Make X-cards available without making a big scene about it.
• Board game library: Easy-entry titles like Cascadia, Azul, King of Tokyo, and Ticket to Ride. Clear labels for player count and play time.

When tabletop and video game communities intersect, people who might never touch a fight stick end up trying locals—and lab monsters discover they actually love roleplay. That cross-pollination is where the community gets sticky.

What This Means for LGBTQ+ Gamers Right Now

If you’ve ever bounced off a tournament because you didn’t feel safe, or left a voice chat because the vibe turned gross, Gotham Gaming’s launch is a sign that better spaces are being built. Not everyone wants to “tough it out” online, and honestly, you shouldn’t have to. Local hubs help you find your people faster, learn games without judgment, and take breaks without feeling like you have to disappear from gaming entirely.

It also encourages devs and publishers to invest in the city’s energy. When an inclusive org is thriving, more demos, sponsor drops, and beta access tend to follow. More importantly, people who’ve never seen themselves reflected in gaming culture suddenly feel like they belong on the main stage—because they do.

If You’re Going: A Quick Player Checklist

• Bring your controller (labeled) and a USB-C cable
• Pack hydration and a snack—events get hectic
• Ask about accommodations early if you need them
• Be brave and say hi to at least one new person—low-pressure friendships start with “What are you playing?”
• Respect the space and lift up others; that’s the meta

If you’re not in Chicago, keep an eye on what Gotham Gaming does next. Good models tend to get picked up by other cities. Or start something where you are. A Discord and a library space is enough for a first meetup—you can scale from there.

Final Thoughts: Chicago, This Is Your Moment

Gotham Gaming launching in Chicago isn’t just another date on the calendar—it’s a fork in the road for how inclusive and forward-looking the city’s gaming scene wants to be. With founders Jonny Saldana and Clementina Salucci steering the ship, a launch at Kinowerks, and a clear goal to connect people through games and tech, the foundation is there. What happens next depends on consistent events, transparent leadership, and a community ready to show up for each other.

If you want the TL;DR: this launch matters because it’s building real-world infrastructure for safer, smarter, more joyful play. It’s a chance for people who felt pushed out to take their seat at the setup—no permission required.

For the announcement and event details, check out the original coverage at Windy City Times. And if you’re tuning your own battlestation to get tournament-ready, don’t miss my full gaming setup guide for hardware tips you can actually use.

Conclusion

We talk a lot about skill ceilings and metas, but communities have skill floors too—the baseline of care and structure people can trust. Gotham Gaming looks ready to raise that floor in Chicago. It’s the kind of project that makes a city feel like home to gamers who’ve spent too long searching for a table where they fit. If the launch is the prologue, I’m excited to see the chapters that follow—tournaments that feel welcoming, tabletop nights with thriving stories, creator labs that spark careers, and partnerships that make the scene resilient.

Pull up on October 10 at Kinowerks if you can, show love to the volunteers and partners, and bring a friend who’s been waiting for a sign to rejoin the scene. This is it.

Your turn: Are you planning to hit the Gotham Gaming launch? What games or programs do you want to see them run first—FGC brackets, cozy co-op nights, or D&D one-shots? Drop your thoughts in the comments and put your wish list out there. If you’re outside Chicago, tell us what inclusive orgs are active in your city and what’s working for them. Let’s trade ideas and keep building the kind of gaming spaces we actually want to hang out in.