The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.
Leadership Shift Comes After Lukewarm Feedback
Brinkman assumes the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster unveiling last fall.
Recently, 2K president a key figure informed staff about this strategic move through an internal memo, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had indicated the requirement for a more defined vision.
The president expressed that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a refreshed focus, aiming to address player expectations.
A Pattern of Key Hires
This announcement mirrors a comparable action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the entire message from Ismailer's communication:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just finished your gathering - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most driven and innovative creators we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to continue.”
Through your commitment and adaptability, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.
The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS demo was revealing. It affirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the need for a sharper brand.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You took the feedback to heart and revamped the title with a revitalized vision - one that’s poised to deliver on its ambition to our fans.
The belief in this project grows every day. To further the incredible progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce the new hire as the incoming Studio Head of the team. Following several months of talks, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s guidance and experience in the PVP shooter space is vast, having dedicated the last 15 years producing and managing some of the most popular franchises in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.
I invite you all in greeting Ben in the coming days. We are all looking forward to continue witnessing the evolution of the game in the time to ahead.
David
Experience of the Incoming Leader
Brinkman currently serves in the role of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at major gaming companies in various production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Information and Concept
Project Ethos was unveiled in last year in conjunction with a early access event. Initially, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling step forward on the category."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to match your preferred approach," the description explains. "Take on the rivals with fresh skills, challenges, and obstacles that evolve every match. Do you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Or aim high, risk it all, and pray your group can achieve the highest spot? The option is up to you."
Project Ethos lacks an official release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can expect more updates as creation advances.
