2K Games has secured a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the forthcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Change Follows Poor Feedback
Brinkman steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster initial reveal last fall.
On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer notified staff about this strategic move through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had revealed the requirement for a more defined direction.
The president expressed that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a renewed vision, aiming to address gamer demands.
Trend of Strategic Hires
The news echoes a similar step taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise development group.
Below is the full content from the president's communication:
Hello Everyone—
I know you all just completed your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented developers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re eager for that relationship to endure.”
With your dedication and adaptability, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The community feedback from last fall’s the game testing phase was informative. It validated the potential of a action-packed game but told us we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the need for a clearer vision.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the feedback to heart and revamped the title with a refreshed direction - one that’s ready to deliver on its potential to our players.
The trust in Project ETHOS increases every day. To advance the incredible progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce the new hire as the new Director of 31st Union. After some time of discussions, he starts with us on next week.
Ben’s management and experience in the competitive gaming space is extensive, having devoted the recent years producing and overseeing some of the most well-known titles in gaming, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.
I invite you all in receiving Ben soon. We are all looking forward to persist observing the progress of the game in the months to ahead.
David
Experience of the Incoming Leader
The appointee currently holds the role of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had assignments at other industry leaders.
Game Information and Vision
The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 together with a public demo. Initially, the developers portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling advancement on the genre."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch explains. "Face the rivals with new abilities, stakes, and tests that evolve every session. Will you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Alternatively go big, gamble everything, and hope your squad can achieve the highest spot? The option is up to you."
The game has not yet received an announced launch window or platforms, but fans can expect more updates as creation progresses.
