Louisville Makes Games Expands and Finds a New Home with Resolve

By Alisha Proffitt Photos By Matt Johnson 

Louisville’s creative energy doesn’t stop at galleries, film sets, or music venues; it’s thriving on screens and tabletops, too. For over a decade, Louisville Makes Games (LMG) has been helping local game developers, artists, and storytellers build something extraordinary together. 

“Louisville Makes Games is a non-profit organization that supports video game and tabletop game developers in the city and surrounding area,” says Glenn Essex, one of the organization’s leaders. “In 2014, we got together at LVL1 to host a game jam. From there, we grew and eventually found our own space, which we call the Warp Zone.” 

That space has since evolved into a creative community where beginners and professionals meet to learn, experiment, and share ideas. “We run regular meetups just for hanging out and showing off projects – those are for everyone, no matter where they are skill-wise. We also run game jams, workshops, movie nights, game nights, and exhibitions. All of our events are free and open to the public.” 

Over the years, Essex has watched local talent blossom. “I have seen people come into the community with no experience who are now publishing games on Steam or exhibiting games internationally. I’ve seen people solve seriously complex design problems just by collaborating with others in our community. I think LMG helps people most by connecting them together and ensuring they feel welcomed and included all the time.” 

That sense of inclusion is part of what makes LMG special. “I think people stick around because we recognize the true value of their craft, and we offer a space (a metaphysical AND physical space!) for creative expression,” Essex says. “We are not a programmer meetup. We are not a profit-seeking sterile co-working space. We are not catering toward career professionals. We are mission-driven and arts-focused.” 

That physical space, the Warp Zone, has been essential to LMG’s success. “When we first started, we very quickly saw the need for having our own space, where we were not constrained by someone else’s operating hours, event schedules, or rules. Warp Zone became our home base, and is really core to our mission now.” 

It’s true, game development can happen from home, but LMG believes collaboration changes everything. “Sure, people can make games alone at home on their computer. But is it really all that healthy if your entire creative journey happens at home, alone, or on the internet? I don’t think so. So a physical space not only enables events; it enables unique kinds of games to be made, it enables connections with people, and unique collaborations. There is a realness to it that would be missing otherwise.” 

Now, as LMG moves into a new space, that mission is expanding even further. “Before now, we never really had to consider exactly what we needed in a space. We have been getting by with power, lights, Wi-Fi, and a water cooler. Ever since we started looking for a new home, we’ve been asking ourselves that same question – how the space itself can serve our mission? I think we found our answers in Resolve.” 

Resolve KY is a nonprofit coworking organization located at Logan and Broadway, adjacent to the old Broadway Theater in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. It provides an affordable workspace, shared resources, and a supportive community for early-stage nonprofits and socially minded ventures. By offering collaborative offices and essential services in a mission-driven environment, Resolve KY helps organizations focus on their purpose rather than overhead, strengthening Louisville’s nonprofit and social impact ecosystem. It is a vital community resource, especially now as so many of our local nonprofits are facing hard financial challenges and experiencing difficulties securing space to operate. 

The move to Resolve is an exciting new chapter for LMG. “With Resolve, LMG will be surrounded by lots of people doing nonprofit work, and we can learn from them. But it’s not just that. Warp Zone will be integrated into a quickly developing part of a historic neighborhood, and our window faces the street! No longer are we tucked away in an alley next to a flood wall. Game developers are coming to Smoketown!” 

Essex continues, “Resolve offers us lots of space, lots of freedom, lots of potential connections and collaborations, and lots more public outreach. It is really awesome.” 

Still, LMG’s mission depends on community involvement. “The community can help us most by coming out to our events. You don’t have to have any experience in game development. If you’re interested in art, music, storytelling, education, or any discipline that might be remotely related to games, come to our events!” 

LMG’s influence is extending well beyond its walls. “We are collaborating with the Louisville Orchestra Creator Corp on a community music project. That’s super cool. We have also produced two albums of completely original music, all made by local musicians. Also…we run the biggest indie game showcase in the state of Kentucky. It’s called Local Game Harvest.” 

And as for the future? “My dream is that LMG and Warp Zone facilitate a massive surge in all kinds of games being made by all kinds of folks in Louisville. Games which are big or small, personal or popular, ugly or gorgeous, unpolished, or finely-tuned. I want to change what ‘success’ means for local creators, and I want to show people that games and play are core parts of who we are as humans and so the design of games is a powerful, and profoundly creative exercise.” 

For more information on Louisville Makes Games and to support their mission, visit: louisvillemakesgames.org