2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment 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 Transition Follows Poor Feedback
Brinkman assumes the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's disappointing unveiling last autumn.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified staff about this strategic move through an internal memo, which highlighted that playtesting had shown the necessity for a distinct direction.
The president noted that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a revised vision, aiming to better meet gamer demands.
Trend of Key Hires
This announcement mirrors a similar action taken by 2K Games in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the BioShock development group.
Below is the complete content from the president's memo:
Team—
I understand you all just finished your meeting - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Last time I shared you all a note, I expressed the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented developers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re eager for that relationship to endure.”
Through your commitment and flexibility, especially over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.
The gamer responses from last fall’s the game demo was informative. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It revealed the requirement for a clearer brand.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You took the criticism to consideration and reimagined the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s poised to deliver on its ambition to our audience.
The belief in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To advance the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce the new hire as the latest Studio Head of 31st Union. Following some time of conversations, he comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s management and experience in the PVP shooter genre is considerable, having spent the last 15 years creating and leading some of the most popular titles in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.
Let’s together in greeting Ben soon. We are all excited to persist seeing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to follow.
David
Background of the New Leader
The appointee presently holds the role of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Details and Vision
Project Ethos was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a public demo. Initially, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative step forward on the style."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to match your preferred approach," the description reads. "Take on the opponents with new abilities, stakes, and tests that evolve every session. Will you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Alternatively take a risk, put it on the line, and pray your group can earn top ranking? The option is yours."
The game does not have an announced release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can anticipate additional details as production advances.
