The Factory

Lore & Background

Originally located at 231 East 47th Street, the first studio became known as the 'Silver Factory' because its walls were painted silver and covered in aluminum foil. The Factory became known for its distinctive blend of art production, experimental film, and music. It served as a gathering place for a wide circle of artists, musicians, writers, and underground personalities—collectively known as Warhol superstars. In the late 1960s, the Factory relocated to 33 Union Square and evolved into a more streamlined operation focused on film production, while also serving as the headquarters of Interview magazine. During the 1970s, Warhol expanded production of his paintings, increasingly specializing in commissioned portraits of celebrities and wealthy patrons. By the time the Factory moved to 860 Broadway, it had transformed from an underground countercultural hangout into a sophisticated salon. In the 1980s, the Factory relocated once more to 158 Madison Avenue.

In Their Own Story

The air reeks of ozone and burnt metal. Duke steps through the airlock, the clang of his boots echoing off grimy walls. A conveyor belt hums nearby, carrying scrap and alien refuse. Somewhere, a piston hisses. He checks his shotgun—still loaded. 'Time to shut this place down,' he mutters, and plunges into the gloom, where the whine of a Protector Drone signals the next fight.

Reader's Guide

The level's layout was designed by Allen H. Blum III.

Did You Know?

• The Factory does not appear in the 'Lunar Apocalypse' episode; it appears in the third episode, 'Shrapnel City.'
• The Factory does not introduce the Protector Drone; that enemy first appears in the first episode, 'Hollywood Holocaust.'