31st Union

Formerly| 2K Silicon Valley (2019–2020)
Type| Division
Founded| February 4, 2019; 7 years ago (February 4, 2019)
Founder| Michael Condrey
Headquarters|

San Mateo, California

Number of locations

| 2 studios (2021)

Key people

| Ben Brinkman (Head of Studios)[1]
Parent| 2K
Website| thirtyfirstunion.com

31st Union is a video game development studio of 2K based in San Mateo, California, with a studio in Valencia, Spain. It was founded in February 2019, then provisionally named 2K Silicon Valley, with Sledgehammer Games co-founder Michael Condrey as its lead.[2]

## History

2K announced in February 2020 that the studio was officially named 31st Union, a nod to its San Francisco Bay Area roots and based on California being the 31st state to join the United States. Condrey said in the announcement that the studio's ideals reflected the diversity of California's and Silicon Valley's spirit of innovation in art, technology, and entertainment and cultural representation.[3] Condrey had committed to establishing the culture of this studio on its founding, calling it "a clean canvas", and stressed the importance of diversity[4] in the creative process.[5] In addition to the new branding, 2K also announced plans to open a second studio for 31st Union in Spain.[3]

The current Silicon Valley studio, in addition to Condrey, includes several dozen former Call of Duty / Sledgehammer Games and Dead Space / Visceral Games developers.[3] The studio, as of February 2020, was working on an "ambitious and inspired new IP",[6] and which was to be revealed within 2020, according to 2K.[7]

Michael Chu, previously the narrative director for Blizzard Entertainment's Overwatch, joined 31st Union in July 2020 as their narrative director.[8]

On November 9, 2021, 2K acquired Elite3D, rebranding it as a 31st Union studio and a 2K Publishing arm.[9]

On January 19 2024, it was reported that 31st Union had let go a small number of employees. The company confirmed it had laid off "less than 10" employees.[10]

On October 17 2024, 31st Union and 2K announced Project Ethos, a free-to-play roguelike hero third-person shooter, for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.[11] In February 2025, Kotaku reported that 2K had fired Condrey after Project Ethos failed to stir any interest.[12] He was replaced by Ben Brinkman, who previous served as an executive producer for the Call of Duty series and Apex Legends.[13]

## References

1. ↑ https://variety.com/2025/gaming/news/project-ethos-update-31st-union-ben-brinkman-1236553878/
2. ↑ Crecente, Brian (February 4, 2019). "Sledgehammer Games Co-Founder Opens New 2K Game Studio". Variety. https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/2k-silicon-valley-1203127558/.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Takahashi, Dean (February 11, 2020). "2K Silicon Valley's official studio name will be 31st Union". Venture Beat. https://venturebeat.com/2020/02/11/2k-silicon-valleys-official-studio-name-will-be-31-st-union/.
4. ↑ "2K Silicon Valley studio becomes 31st Union and expands to Spain" (in en). February 11, 2020. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-02-11-2k-silicon-valley-studio-becomes-31st-union-and-expands-to-spain.
5. ↑ Dring, Christopher (February 4, 2019). "Take-Two hires games veteran Michael Condrey to form new, diverse studio". Venture Beat. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-02-04-take-two-hires-games-veteran-michael-condrey-to-form-new-diverse-studio.
6. ↑ Ivan, Tom (February 11, 2020). "2K's new 31st Union studio is making an 'ambitious and inspired original IP'". Video Games Chronicle. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/2ks-new-31st-union-studio-is-making-an-ambitious-and-inspired-new-ip/.
7. ↑ Saed, Sharif (February 7, 2020). "Mafia 3 dev's next game and 2K Silicon Valley's first project will be unveiled in the coming months". VG247. https://www.vg247.com/2020/02/07/hangar-13-2k-silicon-valley-condrey-studio-reveal-games-this-year/.
8. ↑ Oloman, Jordon (February 21, 2021). "Overwatch Ex-Lead Writer Working on a New 'Multiplayer Character-Action Game' for 2K". IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/overwatch-michael-chu-31st-union-new-game-multiplayer-character-action. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
9. ↑ "2K Acquires Studio That Worked On Diablo, Star Wars, Call Of Duty, And More Big Franchises" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/articles/2k-acquires-studio-that-worked-on-diablo-star-wars-call-of-duty-and-more-big-franchises/1100-6497830/.
10. ↑ McEvoy, Sophie (19 Jan 2024). "31st Union lays off "small number" of staff" (in en). https://www.gamesindustry.biz/31st-union-lays-off-small-number-of-staff.
11. ↑ "2K and 31st Union announce free-to-play roguelike hero third-person shooter Project ETHOS for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC". 17 October 2024. https://www.gematsu.com/2024/10/2k-and-31st-union-announce-free-to-play-roguelike-hero-third-person-shooter-project-ethos-for-ps5-xbox-series-and-pc.
12. ↑ Makuch, Eddie (February 6, 2025). "2K Reportedly Fires Boss At Live-Service Project Ethos Studio After Lukewarm Response". GameSpot. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/2k-reportedly-fires-boss-at-live-service-project-ethos-studio-after-lukewarm-response/1100-6529271/. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
13. ↑ Makuch, Eddie (October 15, 2025). "Despite Lukewarm Reception, 2K Won't Cancel Project Ethos; Here's The Latest". GameSpot. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/despite-lukewarm-reception-2k-wont-cancel-project-ethos-heres-the-latest/1100-6535469/. Retrieved October 18, 2025.

## External links

* Official website

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2K|

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Former studios|

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Notable games|

* Agent
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