The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Shift Comes After Lukewarm Response
The new appointee steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster initial reveal last fall.
On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer informed staff about this decision through an internal memo, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had revealed the necessity for a distinct game identity.
The president stated that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to satisfy community desires.
Trend of Strategic Acquisitions
The news follows a comparable step taken by 2K Games in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.
Here is the complete text from Ismailer's announcement:
Dear Team—
I know you all just completed your town hall - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a message, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and creative developers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re eager for that relationship to persist.”
With your dedication and adaptability, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The player input from last fall’s the game playtest was informative. It affirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had improvements to make. It revealed the requirement for a clearer brand.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the criticism to heart and overhauled Project ETHOS with a renewed direction - one that’s ready to fulfill its ambition to our players.
The trust in this project grows every day. To advance the outstanding development you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome the new hire as the new Lead of 31st Union. After a period of discussions, he starts with us on next week.
Ben’s management and experience in the competitive gaming genre is extensive, having dedicated the recent years producing and leading some of the most recognizable series in gaming, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.
Let’s together in greeting Ben next week. We are all eager to continue witnessing the progress of Project ETHOS in the time to follow.
David
Experience of the New Head
The appointee presently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He previously worked at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at other industry leaders.
Title Details and Concept
The upcoming game was announced in last year alongside a early access event. Initially, 31st Union presented the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an exciting step forward on the genre."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the official summary reads. "Challenge the opponents with fresh skills, stakes, and obstacles that shift every match. Do you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively take a risk, gamble everything, and pray your group can earn top ranking? The choice is in your hands."
The game lacks an official debut schedule or platforms, but enthusiasts can anticipate more updates as creation continues.
