Jackbox Games
- Open roles
- 0
- Founded
- 1989
- Employees
- 51-200
- Offices
- 1
About Jackbox Games
Jackbox Games is an independent video game developer and publisher based in Chicago, specializing in comedic party games, social trivia and multiplayer experiences. Its games combine comedy writing, quiz design, drawing and audience participation, with players using web-connected smartphones, tablets or browsers as controllers.
The core game runs on a computer, console, television or streaming broadcast. Participants connect through a browser without installing a separate controller app or buying dedicated peripherals. This second-screen approach supports both people gathered around one display and groups playing through livestreams or remote gatherings, with audience participation extending beyond the main players.
From comedy quizzes to party collections
The company's history begins in 1989 with Harry Nathan Gottlieb's educational media business, Learn Television. It became The Jellyvision Company in 1995 and launched YOU DON'T KNOW JACK, a comedy quiz game co-published by Berkeley Systems. Game development entered a hiatus after the retail PC CD-ROM market contracted in 2001.
In 2008, Gottlieb recruited former Midway Games studio head Mike Bilder to revive the games business as Jellyvision Games, Inc. The company adopted the Jackbox Games name in June 2013, distinguishing the game developer from the separate employee-benefits software business, The Jellyvision Lab.
The launch of The Jackbox Party Pack in 2014 established an annual series of multiplayer collections. Its broader portfolio includes Quiplash, Fibbage, Drawful, Trivia Murder Party and Tee K.O., alongside standalone releases such as The Jackbox Survey Scramble and The Jackbox Naughty Pack.
Development and publishing
Alongside its own franchises, Jackbox Games has expanded into third-party indie publishing, including a partnership with Toot Games on My Arms Are Longer Now. Its distribution work also includes cloud-streaming and connected-TV integrations through Amazon GameLift Streams and Netflix. These activities extend the studio's established party-game business across additional delivery platforms and publishing partnerships.
More about Jackbox Games
Leadership
The report identifies Mike Bilder as Chief Executive Officer, Evan Jacover as Chief Technology Officer and Andy Kniaz as Vice President of Business Development. It lists founder Harry Nathan Gottlieb and Allard Laban as Chief Creative Officers.
Creative and working practices
The studio draws on Chicago's comedy, improv and theatre community, including alumni of The Second City, for writing, voice talent and game direction. Its reported working model combines in-office and remote work for regional employees; its public studio profile describes the office as available to people who prefer working there.
Technology
The report describes the second-screen controller architecture as patented and proprietary, with supported experiences accommodating up to 10,000 active and audience participants. This figure includes audience participation rather than implying that every game supports 10,000 primary players.
Notable credits
14 creditsOffices
Where Jackbox Games is based
- Chicago, Illinois, United States
Chicago offices
HeadquartersAbout this office
**Chicago Headquarters** Status: active Headquarters Address: 848 W Eastman St, Suite 201, Chicago, IL 60642, United States Corporate headquarters and core development studio. Published records also identify Suite 104 at this building. --- **Office** Status: active Address: 811 W Evergreen Ave, Suite 310, Chicago, IL 60642, United States Additional corporate and merchandise-fulfillment premises. Sweepstakes documentation also identifies Suite 301 at this building.
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