2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Management Shift Follows Mixed Feedback
Brinkman assumes the role of studio head at the development studio following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster early showing last autumn.
Recently, 2K president David Ismailer notified team members about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had revealed the requirement for a distinct vision.
The president expressed that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a refreshed focus, aiming to satisfy community desires.
A Pattern of Key Hires
This announcement follows a similar step taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the beloved franchise development group.
Here is the entire text from the president's memo:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just finished your town hall - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a update, I expressed the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented developers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to persist.”
Through your commitment and versatility, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The community feedback from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was informative. It affirmed the potential of a action-packed game but told us we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the requirement for a clearer vision.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the feedback to heart and overhauled the title with a refreshed direction - one that’s ready to deliver on its potential to our players.
The trust in this project strengthens every day. To further the outstanding development you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce Ben Brinkman as the latest Lead of the team. After several months of conversations, he starts with us on the specified date.
His guidance and background in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having devoted the past decade and a half producing and leading some of the most popular titles in the industry, such as the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.
Let’s together in welcoming him next week. We are all looking forward to keep witnessing the progress of the game in the months to ahead.
David
Background of the Incoming Leader
Brinkman currently holds the role of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Details and Vision
Project Ethos was announced in last year in conjunction with a community playtest. At the time, the developers described the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling evolution on the genre."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the description reads. "Challenge the opponents with new abilities, stakes, and tests that change every match. Will you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Or take a risk, put it on the line, and hope your group can secure victory? The option is up to you."
Project Ethos lacks an confirmed debut schedule or consoles, but players can expect further news as creation advances.
