The renowned publisher has welcomed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Shift Comes After Mixed Feedback
The new appointee assumes the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' underwhelming early showing last fall.
Recently, 2K president David Ismailer informed team members about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had indicated the requirement for a clearer game identity.
The president noted that the developers is now overhauling the project with a renewed approach, aiming to address community desires.
A Pattern of Key Recruitment
This announcement echoes a comparable action taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the complete text from the president's announcement:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just completed your gathering - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most driven and creative developers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re excited for that relationship to persist.”
With your dedication and versatility, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.
The gamer responses from last autumn’s the game demo was revealing. It affirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had work to do. It uncovered the need for a more distinct identity.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the feedback to mind and revamped the title with a revitalized direction - one that’s poised to fulfill its ambition to our audience.
The trust in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the outstanding progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of 31st Union. After a period of talks, Ben starts with us on the specified date.
Ben’s management and background in the PVP shooter genre is vast, having spent the last 15 years developing and managing some of the most recognizable series in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.
Let’s together in greeting Ben soon. We are all excited to keep seeing the development of Project ETHOS in the weeks to ahead.
David
Background of the Incoming Leader
Brinkman currently holds the position of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in multiple development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had periods at other industry leaders.
Title Information and Vision
The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. Initially, 31st Union presented the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative advancement on the style."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch explains. "Challenge the rivals with unique powers, stakes, and tests that change every session. Do you leave securely with your collected items? Alternatively take a risk, put it on the line, and pray your squad can secure victory? The option is in your hands."
The game does not have an official release date or supported systems, but fans can expect additional details as creation continues.
