2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Change Comes After Poor Response
Brinkman takes on the role of studio head at the development studio following the exit of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' disappointing early showing last autumn.
Recently, 2K president David Ismailer updated staff about this decision through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had indicated the necessity for a more defined vision.
The president noted that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a renewed focus, aiming to better meet player expectations.
Trend of Strategic Hires
The news follows a similar move taken by the publisher in August, when they hired an industry veteran from the Diablo team to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the full message from Ismailer's communication:
Hello Everyone—
I know you all just completed your meeting - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a update, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most driven and talented designers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to persist.”
Given your hard work and flexibility, particularly over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.
The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was informative. It validated the promise of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the necessity for a clearer identity.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the feedback to consideration and overhauled Project ETHOS with a revitalized direction - one that’s ready to fulfill its potential to our audience.
The trust in this project strengthens every day. To boost the remarkable development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Director of 31st Union. After some time of talks, he comes aboard us on next week.
Ben’s leadership and experience in the competitive gaming field is extensive, having dedicated the last 15 years developing and overseeing some of the most recognizable series in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.
Let’s together in welcoming him in the coming days. We are all eager to keep seeing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to ahead.
The President
Experience of the Incoming Head
The appointee presently serves in the role of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Details and Concept
The upcoming game was revealed in last year in conjunction with a early access event. Then, the developers described the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative 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 fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch states. "Challenge the competition with new abilities, stakes, and challenges that shift every round. Will you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively take a risk, risk it all, and pray your group can secure victory? The decision is in your hands."
Project Ethos does not have an official launch window or platforms, but players can expect additional details as development progresses.
