2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Shift Follows Mixed Reception
Brinkman takes on the leadership position at 31st Union following the exit of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing unveiling last autumn.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified team members about this decision through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had indicated the need for a more defined direction.
The president stated that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a refreshed vision, aiming to better meet gamer demands.
A Pattern of Key Hires
The news mirrors a comparable action taken by 2K Games in August, when they brought on an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the complete text from the president's communication:
Hello Everyone—
I know you all just wrapped up your town hall - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Last time I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and creative creators we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to persist.”
Given your hard work and versatility, especially over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.
The player input from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It confirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but made clear we still had improvements to make. It revealed the requirement for a more distinct brand.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You took the criticism to heart and revamped Project ETHOS with a revitalized vision - one that’s poised to fulfill its ambition to our audience.
Our confidence in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To advance the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of 31st Union. After several months of discussions, Ben comes aboard us on the specified date.
His leadership and background in the competitive gaming field is vast, having dedicated the last 15 years developing and overseeing some of the most recognizable titles in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.
Let’s together in receiving Ben soon. We are all eager to persist observing the development of Project ETHOS in the time to ahead.
David
Experience of the Incoming Head
Brinkman currently serves in the role of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.
Title Details and Concept
Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 together with a early access event. Initially, 31st Union presented the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an exciting advancement on the style."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary states. "Face the opponents with new abilities, stakes, and obstacles that evolve every session. Will you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Or take a risk, gamble everything, and pray your team can earn top ranking? The option is up to you."
Project Ethos has not yet received an announced launch window or consoles, but enthusiasts can expect more updates as production continues.
