The renowned publisher has welcomed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Management Shift Comes After Lukewarm Feedback
The new appointee assumes the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's disappointing unveiling last fall.
Recently, 2K president David Ismailer updated employees about this strategic move through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had revealed the need for a more defined direction.
The president expressed that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a renewed approach, aiming to address community desires.
A Pattern of Key Hires
The news mirrors a comparable action taken by 2K Games in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the full content from the president's communication:
Team—
I know you all just finished your gathering - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Previously I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most driven and creative developers we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to endure.”
Given your hard work and adaptability, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The player input from last fall’s the game testing phase was revealing. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the requirement for a more distinct brand.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the criticism to mind and revamped Project ETHOS with a refreshed goal - one that’s positioned to deliver on its potential to our players.
The trust in this project grows every day. To further the remarkable development you’ve made, I’m excited to announce the new hire as the latest Lead of the team. After several months of conversations, Ben comes aboard us on the specified date.
His leadership and experience in the competitive gaming genre is vast, having spent the past decade and a half producing and overseeing some of the most well-known series in the industry, for example the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.
Please join me in receiving him in the coming days. We are all excited to keep witnessing the development of the game in the weeks to follow.
David
Experience of the New Head
Brinkman presently holds the role of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Details and Vision
The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. Initially, the developers described the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling advancement on the category."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the description states. "Face the opponents with unique powers, challenges, and tests that shift every round. Do you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Or aim high, gamble everything, and pray your group can earn top ranking? The option is up to you."
Project Ethos has not yet received an official debut schedule or consoles, but enthusiasts can expect more updates as production progresses.
