The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Shift Comes After Lukewarm Reception
The new appointee steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing initial reveal last fall.
Recently, 2K president David Ismailer informed employees about this strategic move through an official communication, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had shown the necessity for a more defined direction.
The president noted that the team is now overhauling the project with a renewed focus, aiming to better meet gamer demands.
Trend of Key Acquisitions
The news mirrors a comparable move taken by 2K Games in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the BioShock development group.
Below is the entire message from the president's memo:
Team—
I understand you all just completed your gathering - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a update, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative developers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that relationship to continue.”
With your dedication and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.
The player input from last autumn’s Project ETHOS demo was informative. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the need for a clearer identity.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the input to mind and reimagined the title with a renewed direction - one that’s poised to achieve its ambition to our audience.
The belief in Project ETHOS increases every day. To boost the remarkable advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome Ben Brinkman as the latest Director of 31st Union. After a period of discussions, Ben starts with us on next week.
Ben’s leadership and experience in the competitive gaming space is extensive, having spent the recent years creating and leading some of the most recognizable titles in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.
Please join me in greeting Ben in the coming days. We are all eager to continue observing the development of Project ETHOS in the weeks to come.
The President
Background of the Incoming Leader
The appointee currently holds the role of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Information and Concept
The upcoming game was revealed in last year in conjunction with a community playtest. Then, 31st Union described the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative step forward on the genre."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the description states. "Take on the rivals with unique powers, risks, and obstacles that evolve every match. Will you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Or aim high, put it on the line, and hope your group can achieve the highest spot? The option is up to you."
Project Ethos lacks an confirmed release date or consoles, but fans can expect further news as creation advances.
