2K Games has welcomed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Management Shift Comes After Lukewarm Feedback
Brinkman assumes the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing initial reveal last autumn.
Recently, the company's top executive a key figure informed employees about this strategic move through an internal memo, which highlighted that playtesting had indicated the requirement for a more defined direction.
Ismailer stated that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a refreshed vision, aiming to address gamer demands.
A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions
The news echoes a comparable move taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the BioShock development group.
Below is the complete text from the president's announcement:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just wrapped up your meeting - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and talented developers we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to persist.”
Given your hard work and versatility, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The community feedback from last autumn’s the game playtest was informative. It affirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had work to do. It revealed the need for a sharper vision.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the feedback to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a renewed direction - one that’s ready to deliver on its promise to our fans.
Our confidence in this project grows every day. To further the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce the new hire as the new Director of 31st Union. After some time of discussions, Ben officially joins us on next week.
Ben’s guidance and background in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having dedicated the last 15 years producing and leading some of the most popular franchises in gaming, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.
Please join me in receiving Ben soon. We are all eager to keep witnessing the development of Project ETHOS in the months to follow.
The President
Background of the New Head
The appointee currently serves in the position of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Details and Vision
The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 together with a public demo. Initially, the developers presented the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling advancement on the style."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the description reads. "Face the competition with unique powers, stakes, and obstacles that change every round. Will you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or aim high, risk it all, and hope your group can secure victory? The option is in your hands."
The game lacks an official release date or consoles, but enthusiasts can expect more updates as creation progresses.
