31st Union is a dynamic team of game makers spanning our studios in the San Francisco Bay Area, Valencia, Spain, and across remote locations. To help the heart of innovation beat strongest on the team, we join together regularly in our Togetherness Week onsite to connect, collaborate, and thrive. These weeks are filled with incredible energy, and we always come away feeling enriched and grateful for this time together.

Our Summer 2024 Togetherness Week in the San Francisco Bay Area may have been our most exciting and productive one yet. Each moment was infused with the indelible spirit that defines our studio - from the first shared laughs to the last cheers of our summer picnic. Let’s look at some of the key moments from an outstanding week together.

The kick-off for Togetherness Week is always filled with electricity and excitement, as colleagues reunite, and new team members experience 31st Union Bay Area for the first time. To celebrate, we ended Monday with our Team Happiest Hour. Members of our studio showcased their bartending skills, mixing cocktails and mocktails at various stations across the studio as we shared stories, laughter, and bonding.

Togetherness Week is all about teamwork and innovation. Tuesday began with a game playtest and our Notes Day review of our progress over the last milestone. Everyone in the studio then gathered for an extended feedback discussion over lunch, made possible by our culture of candid dialog and continuous improvement. The fun continued with the kick-off of our latest Game Jam where team members pitched ideas and enlisted others across disciplines to help prototype game-enhancing features, sparking creativity and collaboration.

Mid-week, we took a break from our screens to give back to the community with our "Senior Space Spruce Up" event at an assisted living center in San Mateo. Our team of 135 engaged in various projects led by The Villa’s senior residents, including painting railings and fencing, assembling and filling planters to reduce slip hazards, building a dog park sandbox, and installing a bocce ball court. This fulfilling experience highlighted our commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others.

The week ended with our annual 31st Union Family summer picnic, a day filled with laughter, games, and great food under the California sun. The weather was perfect and the sounds of family fun filled the air. It was the perfect end to a week filled with connection and joy.

Togetherness Week was a new opportunity borne out of the pandemic and continues today as we’re reminded of the importance of coming together, sharing ideas, and building lasting relationships. At 31st Union, these moments fuel our creativity, build trust and drive us forward as a team.

If you’re inspired by our journey and would like to join our next Togetherness Week, we invite you to explore our open job listings. Join us, and let’s create unforgettable experiences together!