2K Games has welcomed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the anticipated over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Change Comes After Lukewarm Reception
Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster early showing last autumn.
Recently, 2K president a key figure notified staff about this strategic move through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had indicated the requirement for a distinct vision.
Ismailer stated that the team is now refining the project with a renewed vision, aiming to better meet player expectations.
A Pattern of Key Recruitment
This announcement mirrors a comparable move taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to work on the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the entire message from Ismailer's communication:
Dear Team—
I know you all just completed your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Previously I sent you all a update, I expressed the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and talented designers we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to persist.”
Given your hard work and flexibility, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The community feedback from last autumn’s the game demo was revealing. It affirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the requirement for a sharper identity.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the feedback to consideration and overhauled Project ETHOS with a revitalized vision - one that’s ready to fulfill its potential to our fans.
The trust in this project strengthens every day. To boost the remarkable advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce the new hire as the incoming Director of the team. Following some time of conversations, Ben starts with us on the specified date.
Ben’s guidance and background in the PVP shooter field is extensive, having spent the past decade and a half producing and leading some of the most well-known series in the industry, such as the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, Apex Legends.
Please join me in receiving Ben next week. We are all looking forward to persist observing the development of the game in the time to ahead.
David
Background of the Incoming Head
The appointee presently holds the role of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Details and Concept
Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. Then, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an exciting step forward on the category."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in real-time to match your preferred approach," the description reads. "Take on the opponents with new abilities, risks, and obstacles that shift every session. Will you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively take a risk, gamble everything, and hope your group can achieve the highest spot? The option is up to you."
The game lacks an confirmed debut schedule or supported systems, but players can look forward to additional details as production advances.
