2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Shift Follows Poor Feedback
Brinkman assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming early showing last fall.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer informed employees about this strategic move through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had indicated the need for a more defined game identity.
Ismailer stated that the developers is now refining the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to better meet community desires.
A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions
This announcement echoes a similar step taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to work on the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the full content from Ismailer's memo:
Dear Team—
I know you all just completed your meeting - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Previously I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and creative designers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to endure.”
With your dedication and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.
The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was revealing. It validated the potential of a action-packed game but indicated we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the necessity for a sharper brand.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You took the criticism to heart and revamped the title with a refreshed goal - one that’s ready to deliver on its potential to our players.
The belief in Project ETHOS increases every day. To further the remarkable development you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce the new hire as the new Studio Head of 31st Union. After several months of discussions, Ben starts with us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s management and background in the competitive gaming genre is considerable, having devoted the recent years producing and managing some of the most popular series in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.
Please join me in receiving Ben in the coming days. We are all eager to persist witnessing the progress of the game in the time to ahead.
The President
Background of the New Leader
The appointee presently holds the role of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Details and Vision
The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 alongside a early access event. Initially, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative evolution 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 game's pitch states. "Take on the competition with unique powers, stakes, and obstacles that shift every round. Do you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or take a risk, risk it all, and hope your team can secure victory? The option is up to you."
Project Ethos has not yet received an official debut schedule or supported systems, but enthusiasts can anticipate more updates as development continues.
