2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Shift Follows Poor Feedback
The new appointee steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's lackluster unveiling last autumn.
On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure informed employees about this decision through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had shown the necessity for a distinct game identity.
The president noted that the team is now reimagining the project with a renewed approach, aiming to address community desires.
Trend of Strategic Acquisitions
This announcement follows a comparable step taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on an industry veteran from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the complete content from Ismailer's communication:
Dear Team—
I know you all just completed your meeting - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented creators we have had the chance to work with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to continue.”
Given your hard work and flexibility, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was informative. It validated the potential of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had work to do. It revealed the necessity for a clearer identity.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the criticism to mind and reimagined Project ETHOS with a revitalized direction - one that’s poised to achieve its promise to our audience.
The belief in this project increases every day. To advance the outstanding development you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome Ben Brinkman as the new Director of the team. Following several months of discussions, he comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s leadership and experience in the PVP shooter space is vast, having spent the recent years producing and leading some of the most well-known series in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.
I invite you all in receiving Ben soon. We are all eager to keep seeing the development of Project ETHOS in the time to ahead.
The President
Experience of the Incoming Head
The appointee currently holds the position of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He earlier was employed at major gaming companies in various production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, before that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Details and Vision
The upcoming game was announced in last year together with a early access event. At the time, the developers described the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative advancement on the category."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary states. "Face the opponents with fresh skills, risks, and obstacles that shift every session. Do you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Or aim high, gamble everything, and hope your group can earn top ranking? The option is up to you."
The game has not yet received an official release date or consoles, but players can expect more updates as production advances.
