Celebrating Hispanic Heritage & Culture at 2K

September through early November, 2K took time to recognize the contributions, family traditions, and influence of Latin American histories, cultures, and achievements. Our Latinos/Hispanics/Chicanos ERG, also known as "Unidos@2K", planned numerous events and workshops to further our culture of acceptance and inclusivity (and have fun in the process!). 

One of our key events was a Mini Festival including food, music, Loteria, and sugar skulls to decorate in our Novato & Austin offices.

“Here in Austin, we're still establishing our voice and presence as an ERG and becoming more familiar with our VC and Zynga families we share the space with. Our 2K Unidos lunch and Zynga snack hour wasn't just about the food-- it was an opportunity to celebrate our rich cultural diversity and foster connections.

Colleagues swapped stories, laughter filled the room, and friendships blossomed as we shared our favorite Hispanic/Latinx traditions and customs while enjoying an array of food from several different Latin American countries. It was heartwarming to see our teams come together and embrace the spirit of unity! In the spirit of togetherness, let's carry this energy forward, embracing the diversity that makes our team stronger and more dynamic. Stay tuned for more exciting events on the horizon!” Berenice Guzman - Associate Producer

With World Mental Health Day falling within the celebration month, Unidos partnered with our MIND ERG for an event entitled: “Échale Ganas: The Importance of La Salud Mental”. The goal was to support learning strategies to counter stressors and support our individual Mental Health. The workshop also provided insight into how a lack of acceptance of support for Mental Health impacts marginalized communities as a whole. 

One of the most vibrant aspects of Hispanic culture is its music - it plays an important role in many celebrations and festivals. Some of the most popular genres of Hispanic music include salsa, merengue, and flamenco. To celebrate this vibrant, our Unidos ERG curated a playlist that was played throughout the month in our lobby area, and during our Company All Hands and other onsite events. Listen here:  ¡2K Unidos! On Spotify 

Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) combines the ancient Aztec custom of celebrating ancestors with All Souls' Day. The holiday, celebrated mostly in Mexico on November 1 and 2, is like a family reunion—except ancestors that have passed on and are the guests of honor. Day of the Dead is a joyful time that helps people remember the deceased and celebrate their memory.      

A few of our Unidos members continue the celebration and share their thoughts on 2K culture, career advice, and family favorite foods and traditions.

Mando Delgado - Associate Ratings Producer - What makes our 2K culture unique and how is Unidos a part of that? I will say the diversity here at 2K is amazing and ever-growing. It is always a welcoming experience to see fellow peers and coworkers who share similar backgrounds and different backgrounds. We all can benefit by taking the time to learn from others who differ from our own cultures. The inclusion of everyone makes for a wonderful place to grow and appreciate our differences. Unidos provides a space to learn and bond over the similarities of cultures while appreciating other Latinx cultures. In the end, we are all humans, and connections should be welcomed and cherished.

What career advice do you have for someone aspiring to be in the Gaming Industry? Come into the industry with an open mind. What I mean by that – there are a plethora of avenues to work in this gargantuan industry. I came in as customer support – and now I’m an Assistant Producer for the Ratings Team. The Video Game Industry has so many opportunities – don’t limit yourself to just one path – as success has many.

Favorite family dish or tradition? - One of my favorite dishes ever is sopa de pollo with a fresh glass of refresco de ensalada fresca de fruta! Both are dishes my mother-in-law makes from time to time and they are divine!

Francisco Osorio - HR Generalist - What makes our 2K culture unique and how is Unidos a part of that? The people at 2K are what make the culture unique. This is the first time in my entire professional career that I have felt welcomed and supported in every imaginable way not only as a Latino but as an individual as a whole. Unidos@2K is the cherry on top - we are not only welcomed but officially recognized by the 2K organization, and that makes me proud to be part of 2K. 

Favorite family dish or tradition? - If I could pick a dish from my family's recipe book it would be "mole negro" (black mole). This is a recipe that has been passed through generations and every time we make it, it is an excuse to get together as a family and work together to create this delicious dish. 

Jose Gutierrez - Motion Capture Associate Production Manager- What makes our 2K culture unique and how is Unidos a part of that? I TREAT OTHERS AS YOU WANT TO BE TREATED is one of the company values. Unidos is a part of that because it provides a platform for groups to become a part of a community that is shared and welcoming. One simple example is the uni2k-erg slack channel where music, events, and community are actively being shared.

What career advice do you have for someone aspiring to be in the Gaming Industry? Keep persevering in whatever it is you want to accomplish. You will always be surrounded by doubters or those who disapprove of your choices. My dad would question how I would make a living following a career path in the arts, but I stuck to my aspirations and changed degrees in college from Graphic design to Animation. Today I feel vindicated working in the gaming industry for twenty years. 

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you and why is it important to celebrate?

For me, it serves as a reminder to embrace the differences that make our cultures unique from the food we eat, such as albondigas, one of my favorite dishes, to the cultural activities we enjoy, like gathering during the holidays for tamales and buñuelos. I feel it’s important to celebrate to raise awareness for everyone including Hispanic and Latin groups. From teaching people facts such as Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day but rather it’s on September 16th. A big part of why Hispanic Heritage Month starts on September 15th is more than half a dozen Latin American countries celebrate their independence on or around that date