🔗 Share this article

The renowned publisher has welcomed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Management Shift Follows Poor Reception

Brinkman assumes 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' disappointing initial reveal last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified team members about this strategic move through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had indicated the requirement for a distinct direction.

Ismailer noted that the team is now overhauling the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to address player expectations.

A Pattern of Key Recruitment

The news echoes a similar step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the BioShock development group.

Here is the full text from the president's communication:

Team—

I know you all just finished your town hall - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a message, I stated the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative designers we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to persist.”

Given your hard work and versatility, especially over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.

The player input from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was enlightening. It confirmed the promise of a action-packed game but made clear we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the requirement for a sharper vision.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the criticism to mind and reimagined the title with a refreshed direction - one that’s ready to fulfill its promise to our audience.

The belief in this project increases every day. To advance the incredible advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of the team. Following several months of talks, he starts with us on next week.

Ben’s management and expertise in the competitive gaming space is extensive, having spent the last 15 years creating and managing some of the most popular franchises in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in welcoming him next week. We are all eager to continue seeing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the months to come.

David

Experience of the New Leader

Brinkman currently serves in the position of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously was employed at major gaming companies in various production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Concept

Project Ethos was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a public demo. Initially, the developers described the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an exciting advancement on the category."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary explains. "Face the rivals with unique powers, challenges, and challenges that change every session. Will you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or take a risk, risk it all, and pray your squad can earn top ranking? The option is yours."

The game has not yet received an announced debut schedule or platforms, but enthusiasts can expect further news as development continues.