2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Management Transition Comes After Lukewarm Response
The new appointee steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's underwhelming initial reveal last fall.
Recently, 2K president a key figure informed employees about this decision through an internal memo, which highlighted that playtesting had indicated the need for a clearer direction.
Ismailer expressed that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a renewed vision, aiming to satisfy player expectations.
A Pattern of Key Recruitment
The news follows a comparable step taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the full message from the president's communication:
Team—
I understand you all just finished your town hall - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a update, I expressed the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and innovative creators we have had the pleasure to work with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to continue.”
With your dedication and flexibility, particularly over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.
The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was revealing. It confirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but told us we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the need for a sharper brand.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the feedback to consideration and reimagined the title with a revitalized direction - one that’s ready to deliver on its ambition to our fans.
The belief in this project grows every day. To boost the incredible progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce Ben Brinkman as the new Studio Head of the team. After a period of talks, Ben officially joins us on next week.
His management and expertise in the competitive gaming genre is vast, having dedicated the recent years creating and managing some of the most recognizable titles in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.
I invite you all in greeting Ben soon. We are all eager to keep witnessing the evolution of the game in the months to ahead.
David
Background of the Incoming Head
The appointee currently serves in the role of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had stints at other industry leaders.
Game Details and Concept
The upcoming game was unveiled in last year in conjunction with a public demo. Then, the developers presented the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling advancement on the category."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary explains. "Challenge the opponents with fresh skills, stakes, and challenges that shift every match. Do you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Or aim high, put it on the line, and pray your squad can earn top ranking? The choice is yours."
Project Ethos has not yet received an official debut schedule or consoles, but enthusiasts can expect additional details as creation advances.
