2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Management Shift Follows Lukewarm Feedback
Brinkman takes on the role of studio head at the development studio following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster early showing last autumn.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified team members about this decision through an official communication, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had revealed the need for a distinct vision.
The president noted that the developers is now refining the project with a renewed focus, aiming to address player expectations.
A Pattern of Key Acquisitions
The news echoes a comparable step taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the complete message from Ismailer's communication:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just completed your town hall - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a message, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and creative designers we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that partnership to endure.”
Given your hard work and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.
The community feedback from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was enlightening. It affirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had work to do. It revealed the requirement for a sharper identity.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the input to heart and revamped Project ETHOS with a revitalized goal - one that’s ready to deliver on its promise to our fans.
The trust in this project grows every day. To further the remarkable development you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce the new hire as the incoming Director of 31st Union. After several months of talks, Ben officially joins us on next week.
Ben’s guidance and expertise in the PVP shooter field is vast, having devoted the past decade and a half producing and overseeing some of the most popular titles in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, the battle royale hit.
Please join me in welcoming Ben next week. We are all excited to keep witnessing the progress of Project ETHOS in the time to follow.
The President
Background of the Incoming Head
The appointee presently serves in the role of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.
Title Information and Concept
The upcoming game was unveiled in last year alongside a public demo. At the time, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling evolution on the genre."
"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 reads. "Face the competition with unique powers, stakes, and challenges that shift every match. Will you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively aim high, gamble everything, and trust your squad can earn top ranking? The option is in your hands."
The game has not yet received an official release date or consoles, but players can anticipate more updates as production advances.
