The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently developing the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Leadership Transition Comes After Lukewarm Reception
The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at the development studio following the departure of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster initial reveal last autumn.
On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure updated staff about this strategic move through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had indicated the requirement for a distinct direction.
The president noted that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a renewed focus, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.
Trend of Key Hires
This announcement mirrors a comparable step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to work on the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the full message from the president's communication:
Team—
I know you all just completed your gathering - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a update, I stated the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and innovative designers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to persist.”
With your dedication and flexibility, especially over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.
The community feedback from last fall’s the game playtest was informative. It validated the potential of a action-packed game but made clear we still had work to do. It highlighted the requirement for a more distinct identity.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the input to mind and overhauled Project ETHOS with a renewed goal - one that’s positioned to achieve its promise to our audience.
The belief in this project strengthens every day. To further the remarkable advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome the new hire as the latest Director of 31st Union. After a period of discussions, he officially joins us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s guidance and background in the PVP shooter genre is vast, having devoted the recent years developing and overseeing some of the most well-known franchises in the industry, such as the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, Apex Legends.
I invite you all in receiving Ben next week. We are all looking forward to continue seeing the evolution of the game in the time to ahead.
David
Experience of the Incoming Leader
Brinkman presently serves in the position of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He previously worked at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, earlier in his career, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Details and Concept
The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 together with a community playtest. Then, 31st Union described the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling evolution 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 states. "Take on the opponents with new abilities, risks, and tests that change every round. Will you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Or take a risk, put it on the line, and pray your squad can achieve the highest spot? The choice is up to you."
The game has not yet received an confirmed release date or platforms, but fans can expect further news as production continues.
