The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the development team at their internal studio, which is currently developing the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Management Shift Comes After Lukewarm Reception
The new appointee steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster early showing last fall.
Recently, 2K president David Ismailer informed team members about this strategic move through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had indicated the necessity for a more defined direction.
The president stated that the team is now reimagining the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.
A Pattern of Key Hires
The news echoes a comparable move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the entire message from the president's memo:
Hello Everyone—
I know you all just finished your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Previously I sent you all a update, I stated the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and creative creators we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to endure.”
With your dedication and adaptability, particularly over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.
The player input from last autumn’s the game testing phase was informative. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the need for a clearer identity.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You embraced the input to mind and revamped Project ETHOS with a revitalized direction - one that’s positioned to deliver on its potential to our players.
Our confidence in this project increases every day. To further the outstanding development you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of 31st Union. After some time of discussions, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20.
His management and background in the PVP shooter genre is vast, having dedicated the past decade and a half developing and leading some of the most recognizable franchises in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.
Let’s together in welcoming Ben in the coming days. We are all eager to persist seeing the development of the game in the weeks to come.
David
Background of the New Leader
Brinkman currently serves in the position of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He previously worked at major gaming companies in various development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Details and Concept
The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. Initially, the developers presented the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative advancement on the genre."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch explains. "Face the rivals with unique powers, risks, and obstacles that change every session. Will you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Alternatively go big, gamble everything, and hope your squad can achieve the highest spot? The decision is up to you."
The game has not yet received an announced debut schedule or platforms, but fans can look forward to further news as development continues.
