2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Leadership Transition Comes After Poor Reception
Brinkman assumes the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster initial reveal last fall.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer informed staff about this decision through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had revealed the need for a distinct vision.
The president stated that the team is now reimagining the project with a renewed focus, aiming to better meet player expectations.
A Pattern of Key Hires
The news echoes a similar move taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise development group.
Here is the complete content from the president's announcement:
Dear Team—
I understand you all just wrapped up your gathering - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and talented designers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to continue.”
With your dedication and versatility, especially over the last year, you continue to prove that.
The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was informative. It confirmed the potential of a action-packed game but told us we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the necessity for a sharper identity.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You took the input to heart and revamped Project ETHOS with a renewed vision - one that’s poised to fulfill its promise to our fans.
Our confidence in this project grows every day. To advance the remarkable development you’ve made, I’m excited to announce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Director of 31st Union. Following some time of talks, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20.
His management and expertise in the competitive gaming field is extensive, having dedicated the recent years developing and overseeing some of the most recognizable titles in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.
Please join me in greeting him in the coming days. We are all looking forward to persist seeing the development of the game in the time to come.
The President
Background of the New Leader
Brinkman presently serves in the role of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously worked at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had periods at other industry leaders.
Game Details and Vision
Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. At the time, 31st Union presented the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative 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 description explains. "Take on the rivals with unique powers, challenges, and obstacles that change every match. Do you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Or aim high, risk it all, and trust your team can achieve the highest spot? The choice is yours."
The game does not have an official debut schedule or consoles, but fans can anticipate more updates as production progresses.
