The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently developing the forthcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Shift Comes After Mixed Response
The new appointee assumes the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's disappointing initial reveal last autumn.
Recently, 2K president David Ismailer informed staff about this strategic move through an internal memo, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had shown the need for a more defined vision.
The president stated that the developers is now refining the project with a renewed approach, aiming to better meet player expectations.
A Pattern of Key Recruitment
This announcement mirrors a comparable step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the complete content from the president's announcement:
Team—
I know you all just finished your meeting - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Previously I sent you all a update, I expressed the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative designers we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to endure.”
Through your commitment and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.
The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the requirement for a sharper brand.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the criticism to consideration and reimagined the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s ready to fulfill its potential to our players.
Our confidence in this project grows every day. To further the remarkable advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome Ben Brinkman as the incoming Director of the team. Following a period of discussions, Ben officially joins us on the specified date.
His guidance and expertise in the PVP shooter genre is considerable, having devoted the recent years creating and leading some of the most popular series in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and lately, Apex Legends.
I invite you all in welcoming Ben soon. We are all excited to keep seeing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to ahead.
The President
Experience of the New Head
Brinkman presently holds the role of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, earlier in his career, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Information and Vision
The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. At the time, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative evolution on the category."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the description reads. "Take on the opponents with unique powers, challenges, and obstacles that evolve every round. Will you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Or take a risk, put it on the line, and trust your group can earn top ranking? The choice is up to you."
The game does not have an official release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can anticipate further news as development progresses.
