31st Union recently wrapped up our Winter 2024 edition of Togetherness Week, an event that filled our California headquarters with creativity, collaboration, and celebration. These gatherings have become a cornerstone of our studio culture, creating a space where our local and remote employees can meet face-to-face and build relationships that sustain us when we are working in our flexible remote model.

The timing of Togetherness Week, in late January, was also special as it ended with our studio’s 5th anniversary celebration. This important studio milestone is a testament to the talent, passion and commitment that have been key to our success during our incredible journey with 2K. We are blessed and this celebration amplified the sense of shared purpose and gratitude across the team.

Let’s look at some of the key moments from an extraordinary week.

Monday: An Exciting Kick-Off

The team gathered on Monday morning for the official Winter Togetherness Week Kick-Off, setting a tone of energy and excitement for the week ahead. After a day of focused and collaborative work, we reconvened in the evening for the Team Happiest Hour. We were joined by 2K President David Ismailer, whose remarks to the team highlighted our publisher’s support for our game and gave us an extra boost of inspiration. It was great to host him at the studio.

Tuesday: Nurturing Team Spirit

Suzanne Lettrick, our Director of Global Culture Development, gave a wonderful Lunch & Learn presentation titled, “Soft Skills for Excellence.” The talk focused on how we can be of service to each other as we strive to do great work and reach our common goal, which is bigger than ourselves.

Tuesday evening brought a delightful team outing to see Wonka. The magic of the movie was amplified by our own touch of wonder—golden tickets hidden in each theater, offering fabulous prizes to the lucky winners. With children and spouses also in attendance, it was a fun way to blend family time with team bonding.

Wednesday: Community and Competition

31st Union is committed to serving our neighbors and giving back to the community. On Wednesday we hosted a give-back event to benefit St. Vincent de Paul of Santa Clara County. They provide safety-net services for families and individuals who are often suffering and forgotten. Our goal was to make 600 sandwiches, along with individual cards offering messages of hope and encouragement. As usual, our team’s enthusiasm was in overdrive, and we pushed that number to over 700! This act of service was a powerful reminder of the impact we can make together.

The day culminated in a team competition where developers battled it out to prove skill and mastery within our game. Our team’s gaming prowess was put to the test as we competed to see who is best at the game we’ve been developing. Two champions emerged, each receiving bragging rights and brand-new iPads.

Thursday: A Day at the Races

The festivities took an adventurous turn on Thursday afternoon with a trip to the Sonoma Raceway to celebrate our publisher 2K’s 19th Anniversary. The day was packed with excitement, including casino games, autocross challenges and drifting ride-alongs with professional drivers. It was a thrilling event, filled with laughter, adrenaline, and the shared love of speed.

Friday: Reflection and Wrap Up

Our Winter Togetherness Week Wrap-Up on Friday evening was a moment of reflection and celebration, honoring studio founder Michael Condrey’s 5th anniversary with 31st Union. This special and fitting close to the week’s events reminded us of the journey we've embarked on together and the bright future that lies ahead.

Looking Ahead

As we think about this unforgettable week, we're reminded of the power of togetherness. It drives us forward, fuels our creativity, and strengthens our resolve to create games that inspire and entertain. We are grateful to everyone who participated and made it possible. Here's to many more years of innovation, collaboration, and celebration at 31st Union.

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