As the holiday season draws near, it's a perfect time to reflect on the many things we're thankful for here at 31st Union. As always, we're especially grateful for the incredible global team that brings our vision to life every day. Our strength lies in the unique talents and perspectives that each person contributes, coming together to create something far greater than any individual effort could achieve.

We’ve also been reminded of the remarkable resilience of our community in Valencia following the recent floods in the region. We’re fortunate that our studio was not damaged, and our thoughts remain with those who continue to recover from this devastating event. Many organizations are working tirelessly on the ground to assist those affected—learn more here about how you can contribute to the relief efforts.

Against this backdrop, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on Associate Development Manager Giulia Longo, whose great passion for art ultimately led her to work in video games. From her roots in art history to her work with our Animation team, Giulia’s story is a reminder of the incredible opportunities for growth and creativity that are available in our industry and at 31st Union.

What inspired you to go into video game development?

I came across this industry through my experience as a manager at an art outsourcing studio. Before that, I always thought I would end up working in a museum or art gallery after completing my studies—I have a master’s degree in Economics of Art.

Art has been one of my lifelong passions, especially art history and cinema. Through various experiences working in both private and public museums, I came to understand what truly fulfills me: being surrounded by creativity and beauty. For me, that means working closely with art and artists.

This motivation led me down an unconventional path, where I discovered another form of artistic expression—the art behind video games! It’s a dynamic, fascinating, and highly complex world. Assisting a talented team in production here at 31st Union gives me a daily shot of creativity and inspiration, and I’m truly grateful for it.

What surprised you about video game development?

Many things! I would say the intricate web of interactions between disciplines and teams, the fast-paced decision-making process, the horizontal structure of the organization, and the incredible level of cohesion it takes to bring an original IP to life.

It’s like we are all surfing together while connected—facing high waves, learning to keep our balance strong as a team, and having a blast doing it! The diversity of roles is also remarkable, from engineers to designers to various types of artists, just to name a few.

I believe you can only really understand the passion and dedication that goes into making a game once you’re part of the process. It is ultimately a labor of love.

How have video games influenced your life?

Being part of this industry has given me the chance to travel, move to new countries, and meet inspiring and dedicated people along the way. All these things together ultimately brought me to a deeper level of professional and personal growth.

Are there any current trends in gaming that you find exciting or inspiring?

Technology in video games has reached a level where even smaller studios are now able to achieve amazing results. They can share their own unique stories and reach a big audience. Virtual Reality (VR) and indie games, in particular, are adding entirely new dimensions to the gaming experience. Besides that, games have the potential to be an impactful and powerful vehicle for education, promoting valuable content across our global communities.

You’re an Associate Development Manager at 31U. Tell us a little about your role.

At 31st union, I have the pleasure of supporting production within the Animation department. I am responsible for the day-to-day management and tracking of specific game features, like Emotes, for example. I also assist other content departments, in partnership with Development Managers for those related disciplines.

Which of our Studio Values most resonates with you?

Live your Dreams. As I mentioned above, 31st Union is a great environment to nurture your professional (and personal) growth. This value totally resonates with me and my attitude toward work and—by extension—life.

What is your favorite game? What do you love about it?

Difficult question! There are so many out there! In general, I enjoy artsy, open-world games with beautiful environments. I loved climbing stunning tropical mountains as Nathan Drake in Uncharted and traveling through medieval villages in The Witcher.

Tell us something about yourself that many people do not know about you.

One thing that not many people know is that until I was 10 years old, I grew up spending almost every afternoon in a plant nursery, surrounded by flowers. My mum owned a nursery back in the day. During my adolescence, I lived in the suburbs, in a quiet, green area. As a result, today when I move to a new city or country, I always look for places outside the hustle and noise of the city center, preferably in green neighborhoods.