🔗 Share this article

2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Follows Mixed Feedback

The new appointee assumes the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing unveiling last fall.

Recently, 2K president a key figure informed team members about this organizational change through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had shown the need for a clearer vision.

Ismailer stated that the team is now refining the project with a refreshed focus, aiming to better meet gamer demands.

Trend of Key Recruitment

This announcement echoes a comparable move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the BioShock development group.

Here is the complete message from Ismailer's communication:

Dear Team—

I know you all just completed your gathering - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and talented designers we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re eager for that relationship to continue.”

With your dedication and flexibility, especially over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s the game testing phase was informative. It affirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the necessity for a more distinct vision.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the feedback to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a refreshed vision - one that’s poised to deliver on its promise to our audience.

The belief in Project ETHOS grows every day. To boost the outstanding progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome the new hire as the incoming Lead of the team. After several months of discussions, he comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s management and expertise in the PVP shooter field is extensive, having spent the recent years developing and managing some of the most popular series in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in receiving Ben soon. We are all looking forward to persist seeing the progress of the game in the months to come.

The President

Background of the New Head

The appointee presently holds the role of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He earlier worked at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Details and Concept

The upcoming game was revealed in last year in conjunction with a early access event. At the time, 31st Union presented the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative step forward on the style."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the official summary reads. "Challenge the competition with fresh skills, challenges, and obstacles that evolve every session. Do you safely extract with your collected items? Alternatively aim high, gamble everything, and trust your group can earn top ranking? The decision is in your hands."

Project Ethos lacks an official launch window or supported systems, but enthusiasts can look forward to further news as creation progresses.