The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Management Transition Follows Mixed Response
Brinkman assumes the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster early showing last autumn.
Recently, 2K president a key figure notified employees about this decision through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had revealed the necessity for a clearer direction.
The president noted that the team is now overhauling the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to better meet player expectations.
Trend of Key Recruitment
This announcement follows a similar action taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the full content from Ismailer's communication:
Team—
I know you all just wrapped up your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a update, I expressed the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and innovative developers we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to continue.”
Given your hard work and flexibility, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It affirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had work to do. It uncovered the need for a clearer identity.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the feedback to consideration and reimagined the title with a revitalized vision - one that’s poised to fulfill its ambition to our audience.
Our confidence in this project increases every day. To boost the remarkable development you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce the new hire as the incoming Director of the team. After a period of talks, Ben comes aboard us on next week.
His leadership and experience in the competitive gaming space is vast, having devoted the past decade and a half developing and managing some of the most recognizable franchises in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.
I invite you all in receiving him next week. We are all eager to keep witnessing the progress of Project ETHOS in the weeks to ahead.
The President
Background of the Incoming Leader
Brinkman currently holds the position of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had periods at other industry leaders.
Game Information and Vision
Project Ethos was unveiled in last year alongside a public demo. Then, the developers portrayed the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative step forward on the category."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary reads. "Take on the competition with fresh skills, challenges, and tests that change every round. Do you leave securely with your collected items? Or go big, risk it all, and trust your squad can secure victory? The option is up to you."
The game lacks an announced debut schedule or consoles, but players can expect further news as creation advances.
