2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Transition Follows Lukewarm Response
The new appointee assumes the role of studio head at the development studio following the exit of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's lackluster initial reveal last autumn.
On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure informed employees about this decision through an official communication, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had revealed the need for a more defined game identity.
The president stated that the team is now overhauling the project with a renewed focus, aiming to address player expectations.
Trend of Key Hires
This announcement mirrors a comparable move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the full content from the president's memo:
Dear Team—
I know you all just finished your gathering - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and creative designers we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to endure.”
Given your hard work and flexibility, especially over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.
The community feedback from last fall’s Project ETHOS playtest was enlightening. It validated the promise of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the necessity for a sharper identity.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You took the criticism to mind and overhauled Project ETHOS with a refreshed goal - one that’s ready to fulfill its potential to our fans.
The trust in this project strengthens every day. To advance the outstanding advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Lead of the team. After some time of discussions, Ben officially joins us on next week.
His guidance and background in the PVP shooter space is extensive, having dedicated the last 15 years developing and managing some of the most popular titles in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.
Please join me in welcoming him in the coming days. We are all looking forward to keep observing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the time to come.
David
Background of the New Head
Brinkman currently serves in the position of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier was employed at major gaming companies in various production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had stints at other industry leaders.
Title Details and Vision
The upcoming game was announced in last year together with a public demo. At the time, 31st Union described the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling 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 suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch reads. "Face the competition with unique powers, stakes, and obstacles that evolve every match. Do you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Or go big, gamble everything, and pray your squad can earn top ranking? The option is up to you."
The game has not yet received an announced release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can expect additional details as production advances.
