🔗 Share this article

2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Comes After Lukewarm Reception

Brinkman assumes the leadership position at 31st Union following the exit of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster unveiling last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer notified employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which highlighted that playtesting had shown the requirement for a more defined vision.

The president expressed that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a revised focus, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.

A Pattern of Key Recruitment

The news mirrors a similar step taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the entire text from the president's announcement:

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just finished your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Previously I sent you all a message, I stated the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most driven and creative creators we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that partnership to endure.”

Through your commitment and flexibility, especially over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It affirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but indicated we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the requirement for a more distinct vision.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the input to mind and overhauled the title with a renewed vision - one that’s poised to achieve its promise to our players.

The belief in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the outstanding advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome Ben Brinkman as the new Studio Head of the team. After several months of discussions, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.

His guidance and expertise in the PVP shooter space is extensive, having spent the recent years producing and overseeing some of the most recognizable titles in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and lately, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in receiving Ben next week. We are all looking forward to persist seeing the progress of Project ETHOS in the months to come.

David

Experience of the Incoming Head

The appointee presently serves in the role of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in various development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Information and Vision

The upcoming game was unveiled in last year alongside a community playtest. Initially, the developers presented the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an innovative evolution on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary states. "Take on the competition with new abilities, risks, and obstacles that evolve every session. Will you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively go big, gamble everything, and pray your team can secure victory? The choice is yours."

The game has not yet received an official debut schedule or platforms, but enthusiasts can look forward to more updates as production progresses.