#MeetIronGalaxy - Lupe Nuñez

When we hear from leaders around our studios, the conversation is usually about the goals and future of Iron Galaxy. We seldom get the chance to interview them on a personal level. Today we have the pleasure of interviewing Lupe, an individual with a storied history in Chicago’s game development scene. He is a technology, business, and team leader with twenty plus years of IT management experience.  

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Iron Galaxy: Who are you and what would you say you do here at Iron Galaxy? 

Lupe Nuñez: I’m Lupe and I am the Head of IT. 

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IG: Thanks for setting aside time for this interview. What’s one skill you’d say that you learned growing up that you use the most?  

LN: The one skill I use the most in my role today is problem-solving. As a kid, I often found myself helping my family with challenges, whether it was helping raise my brothers, assisting with translation or documentation, troubleshooting technology, or just finding creative solutions to everyday problems. This early experience taught me to approach issues methodically, think critically, and stay calm under pressure.  

These problem-solving skills have been invaluable in my professional life, especially in games. They allow me to tackle complex tasks, navigate unexpected obstacles, and continuously improve processes. The ability to think on my feet and adapt to new situations has made me a more effective and reliable leader and team member.  

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IG: You were destined to land in IT. What has been your proudest moment as a member of the Iron Galaxy team?  

LN: It's a series of moments. What I'm most proud of in my time at Iron Galaxy is establishing our first dedicated IT Team. Building this team from the ground up was both a challenge and an incredible opportunity.  

We faced many obstacles, from integrating new systems to ensuring proper service and support structure throughout the company. However, seeing our efforts come to fruition through real, tangible impact and positive feedback from disciplines, departments, and partners has been immensely rewarding.    

Shout out to the team! Thank you for working to have IT recognized as a crucial part of the studio's success and laying down a foundation on which we can build.  

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IG: Shout out to you for laying down the groundwork for a great team. How collaborative are you with different teams across Iron Galaxy?  

LN: Extremely collaborative, it's one of the things I love most about my job. As an IT department, we have to support every aspect of the business through various competencies. We thrive on the diverse perspectives and expertise of the teams we connect with. Whether it's brainstorming with production, troubleshooting with product development, or strategizing with the teams who take care of our developers. We seek ways to collaborate with and support other teams to help IG operate as a unified, innovative force.  

For example, we have monthly product development syncs to review requests/tickets, update project status, intake feedback and suggestions, all while jamming on emerging tech with all game dev disciplines. Another example is working hand-in-hand with others to open our newest studio in Nashville. We’re always focused on ensuring that IT tech and infrastructure can support IG’s plans and vision. These collaborative partnerships help foster open communication and mutual understanding so everyone is aligned and working toward the same goals.  

IG: Give us your go-to house music track/playlist when the weekend’s about to start.  

LN: For me, it’s 90’s hip hop. Give me some De La Soul, WuTang, A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, Mobb Deep, Pharcyde, J Dilla, Gang Starr, Mobb Deep, EPMD, Souls of Mischief…oh, man let me stop right there and go make a mixtape really quick.  

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IG: Mirror mirror on the wall, will Lupe share his mixtape with us all? What’s unique about working in Midwest game development?  

LN: Working in Midwest game development, particularly in Chicago, offers a unique blend of history, community, and personal nostalgia. Growing up, I played iconic games like NFL Blitz, Mortal Kombat, and NBA Jam. It’s surreal to have met and, in some cases, worked with the very people who created these classics. Chicago’s rich history as a hub for arcade machine manufacturing is also special to me. As a kid hanging out in arcades when and where I did, I was unknowingly part of the testing process for several games. 

Chicago has a vibrant and tight-knit game development community. I’ve had the privilege of meeting and collaborating with industry legends and forging lifelong relationships across the city and several studios. The opportunities and experiences I’ve gained here are invaluable, and I strive to reflect that appreciation and passion in my work every day. 

I was tasked with doing a final walk-through of the old 2727 Midway Games building, the last building of that operation. It was both a privilege and an honor. As much as I was looking forward, Midway was why I originally started working in games. It was a heartfelt and "official" goodbye to a true Chicago and industry icon.

IG: Very cool reflections. This interview is a fun glance at Chicago game dev history for us too. Can you shed some light on the intricacies of IT for us? What do you think the average person should know about your department?  

LN: At its core, a game studio is a technology company, and there’s no better place for a tech support professional to work, especially if you’re into video games.  

We sync up with every part of the studio, making sure we have the reach, visibility, and impact needed to keep things running like a well-oiled machine. Our end users are some of the smartest, most resourceful, and collaborative people you’ll ever meet. It’s our mission to organize our team into specialized functions—Desktop Support, Networking, and IT Coordination—so we can empower everyone to hit their goals, meet deadlines, and unleash their full potential. 

We also work throughout Game Development, Information Security, and Service & Support Programs, supporting other disciplines and departments and staying connected to their work. One thing people might not realize is just how crucial a dynamic IT team is to the success of both the games and the business. We’re a group of technologists with hybrid skills, blending functional expertise with technical aptitude, all striving to be the best game support team in the industry. 

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IG: Anyone who’s worked in tech has minimally had a small glimpse of how important the IT team is. Thanks for summarizing how essential timeliness and knowledge is in a forever evolving space. How has the IT department grown since you’ve been at IG?  

LN: I was the first full-time IT employee at Iron Galaxy, the lone IT ranger. It was a bit like being in a startup…exciting, challenging, and full of potential. 

Everyone at IG contributed a collective effort, pitching in to build and support IT even before I started. Fast-forward to today, and we’ve transformed into a robust, dynamic IT team that I’m incredibly proud to be a part of. 

We’ve been leveling up. Each new challenge and milestone has made us more resourceful and capable. Now, we have a much larger team, each member bringing their unique skills and expertise to the table. Together, we ensure that IG’s tech backbone is solid and secure, enabling our teams to do what they do best: make amazing games. We’ve come a long way on this journey, but in many ways, it feels like we’re just getting started and that’s pretty cool! 

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IG: That means we have plenty to look forward to. What role has Unidos @ IGS played for you at IG? 

LN: Being part of the original Iron Galaxy DEIA team is something I’m proud of. It connected me with amazing people like Joseph Palmer, who I deeply respect. He showed me the true potential of these programs. Our efforts grew and eventually spun off awesome ERGs like Unidos. 

Having this vibrant community at work has been fantastic. I love the events and activities, the fun and interesting chats, and staying connected with the Unidos crew. It’s been a blast and has allowed us to genuinely be and celebrate who we are.   

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IG: What’s a favorite hobby of yours? 

LN: Aside from playing video games, one of my favorite hobbies is being a fan in the world of basketball. I’m a huge NBA enthusiast, some might even call me an NBA “sicko.” Basketball has been a significant part of my life, and I’ve shared stories about it at various venues in Chicago. 

Growing up during the Michael Jordan and Bulls Championship era, I became a lifelong fan. I still collect basketball cards, shoes, and other memorabilia. Fun fact: I even named my dog Bull! Recently, I’ve started diving into Euroleague basketball, and I can already tell it’s going to be a deep rabbit hole. And just to set the record straight, MJ is the GOAT. 🏀🐐 

IG: No contest here. What’s something you have always wanted to create?  

LN: I’ve dabbled in music throughout my life, but one thing I’ve always wanted to create is a fully-equipped music studio where I can produce songs from start to finish. I can’t sing or play an instrument, but I’ve been involved in building sound studios, writing lyrics, rapping, and using various recording and production equipment. 

Maybe I can learn to play an instrument and use AI or autotune to enhance my voice. But, there’s always the chance I might just end up watching basketball instead. 

IG: Sounds like you need to connect with our Audio Manager, Michael Metz. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you choose?  

LN: If I could only eat one food for the rest of my life, it would definitely be carne asada (arrachera) tacos grilled on a charcoal grill, topped with my Dad’s fresh salsa, lime, cilantro, and onion. I never get tired of them and often find myself craving them. My family grills all the time. The real magic is in the ritual of preparing and enjoying the meal together and all the good times we have.   

IG: There’s no place like home. What game have you spent the most time playing?  

LN: NBA 2K. That’s an easy guess. Maybe one day I’ll do a podcast series of my favorite basketball video games of all time.  

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IG: Sign us up to be your first listeners. What has been your favorite series to binge?  

LN: I don’t binge watch a lot of shows or series, but if I had to go back to a few: Parks & Rec, 30 Rock, and Fraiser.   

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IG: What was your favorite movie that bombed?  

LN: I’m pretty sure the Justice League movie is considered a flop or a bomb due to sales expectations. I saw that movie with an entire game dev studio when it released. The reactions during and after the movie were visceral and hilarious. I still bring this up sometimes and it’s like we’re watching that movie all over again.   

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IG: You get one wish. You can’t wish for more wishes. What do you wish for?  

LN: If I had one wish, it would be for all my daughter’s dreams and aspirations to come true, and for her to live the healthiest life possible. I wish this regularly. She’s on her way to becoming a voice actress, and I’m incredibly proud of her. I love ya, kid. (Yes, you’ll always be a kid to me. My Little Pony forever.) 

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IG: You may collaborate on a project soon enough considering the industry she’s headed toward! Given a time machine, which historical period would you like to experience first-hand?  

LN: Given a time machine, there are lots of historical periods I’d love to witness, like the peak of Aztec or Mayan civilization, the Moors’ conquest of Spain, or the growth and expansion of China over various dynasties. However, on a more personal note, I’d choose to experience the life and history of my family in Mexico. 

I was fortunate enough to meet two sets of great-grandparents when I lived there. Walking into their homes and hearing their stories always left me wanting more. I’d love to witness firsthand the journeys of several generations of my family as they immigrated to the U.S. through different programs and situations. I feel deeply connected to my family history, but there’s always more to understand and resolve. 

IG: You are a family man of the finest. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would you invite?  

LN: This is the easiest question on here. It would undoubtedly be my beautiful and lovely wife. Hands down, it’s not even close. Music by a dirty jazz trio playing smooth hip hop samples and instrumentals. A wonderfully prepared meal, she’ll have the gnocchi. A glass of fine wine and a strong IPA pint for me. And the best part? I get to have the best company I could ever dream of. Plus, she’ll put up with my incessant conversation, my indecisiveness and ultimate regret over my order, my criticism of the service, and we can share food with each other. I love you, baby. You are truly the best. Thank you for being you.  

A heartfelt way to wrap up this interview. A big thanks to you, your team, and the years you’ve dedicated toward shaping what IT looks like for Chicago game development studios. To say you have the deep respect of your peers is an understatement. Thanks for being a leader and a friend to each studio. Best of luck during your upcoming move to Nashville! 

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