2K Games has secured a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Shift Comes After Poor Reception
Brinkman steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing unveiling last autumn.
Recently, the company's top executive a key figure informed staff about this organizational change through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had indicated the need for a distinct game identity.
The president noted that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a revised vision, aiming to better meet community desires.
Trend of Strategic Recruitment
The news mirrors a comparable step taken by 2K Games in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the BioShock development group.
Below is the full message from the president's communication:
Dear Team—
I know you all just completed your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Last time I shared you all a message, I stated the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most driven and talented developers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re eager for that relationship to endure.”
With your dedication and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.
The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It confirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had work to do. It revealed the requirement for a clearer vision.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the input to heart and revamped Project ETHOS with a revitalized direction - one that’s poised to deliver on its ambition to our players.
Our confidence in this project grows every day. To advance the remarkable development you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome Ben Brinkman as the incoming Lead of the team. Following several months of discussions, he officially joins us on next week.
His management and background in the PVP shooter genre is considerable, having dedicated the past decade and a half creating and leading some of the most recognizable series in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.
Please join me in welcoming him in the coming days. We are all eager to persist witnessing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to come.
The President
Background of the Incoming Head
Brinkman currently holds the position of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had periods at other industry leaders.
Title Information and Concept
The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. At the time, 31st Union presented the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an exciting advancement on the genre."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch reads. "Face the opponents with unique powers, risks, and challenges that shift every round. Do you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Alternatively aim high, put it on the line, and hope your team can achieve the highest spot? The decision is in your hands."
The game lacks an official debut schedule or platforms, but players can expect additional details as creation progresses.
