2K Games has welcomed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Shift Follows Mixed Feedback
Brinkman assumes the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming unveiling last fall.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified employees about this decision through an internal memo, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had indicated the need for a distinct vision.
Ismailer expressed that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a revised approach, aiming to address community desires.
Trend of Strategic Recruitment
This announcement follows a comparable move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the BioShock development group.
Below is the complete message from the president's memo:
Hello Everyone—
I understand 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 group. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative creators we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that relationship to persist.”
Through your commitment and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS playtest was informative. It confirmed the promise of a action-packed game but indicated we still had work to do. It revealed the requirement for a sharper vision.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the input to consideration and overhauled Project ETHOS with a revitalized goal - one that’s ready to deliver on its potential to our audience.
Our confidence in this project increases every day. To advance the remarkable advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce Ben Brinkman as the latest Lead of 31st Union. Following a period of conversations, Ben comes aboard us on next week.
Ben’s leadership and expertise in the PVP shooter space is vast, having dedicated the last 15 years developing and leading some of the most recognizable titles in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and lately, Apex Legends.
Please join me in welcoming him in the coming days. We are all excited to continue witnessing the development of the game in the months to follow.
The President
Experience of the Incoming Head
Brinkman currently serves in the role of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, prior to that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Details and Vision
The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. At the time, the developers portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative advancement on the style."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to match your preferred approach," the description explains. "Challenge the competition with unique powers, stakes, and challenges that change every session. Will you safely extract with your collected items? Alternatively go big, put it on the line, and pray your group can achieve the highest spot? The decision is in your hands."
Project Ethos has not yet received an confirmed release date or supported systems, but fans can look forward to more updates as creation progresses.
