2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Management Shift Follows Poor Reception
Brinkman steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the exit of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's underwhelming early showing last autumn.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure notified team members about this strategic move through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had revealed the necessity for a more defined vision.
Ismailer expressed that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a revised focus, aiming to better meet player expectations.
Trend of Key Acquisitions
This announcement mirrors a comparable step taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the BioShock development group.
Below is the complete content from Ismailer's announcement:
Dear Team—
I understand you all just wrapped up your meeting - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a update, I stated the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and creative creators we have had the pleasure to work with - and we’re excited for that relationship to continue.”
Given your hard work and adaptability, especially over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.
The gamer responses from last autumn’s the game demo was enlightening. It affirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had work to do. It uncovered the need for a sharper brand.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the input to heart and overhauled the title with a renewed direction - one that’s ready to deliver on its ambition to our audience.
Our confidence in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To further the remarkable advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of the team. Following a period of talks, he comes aboard us on the specified date.
Ben’s management and background in the PVP shooter space is considerable, having spent the past decade and a half developing and leading some of the most popular series in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.
Let’s together in receiving him next week. We are all eager to persist witnessing the development of Project ETHOS in the months to ahead.
David
Experience of the Incoming Leader
Brinkman currently holds the position of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had stints at other industry leaders.
Game Details and Vision
Project Ethos was revealed in last year alongside a community playtest. Initially, 31st Union described the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an thrilling advancement on the category."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the description explains. "Take on the competition with unique powers, challenges, and tests that shift every round. Will you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively aim high, gamble everything, and hope your squad can secure victory? The option is yours."
The game has not yet received an confirmed release date or platforms, but players can expect more updates as development continues.
