2K Games has welcomed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Management Change Follows Poor Feedback
The new appointee takes on the leadership position at 31st Union following the departure of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's underwhelming early showing last autumn.
Recently, 2K president David Ismailer informed employees about this strategic move through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had revealed the necessity for a distinct direction.
The president expressed that the team is now refining the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to better meet community desires.
A Pattern of Key Hires
This announcement follows a comparable action taken by 2K Games in August, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the full message from Ismailer's announcement:
Team—
I know you all just wrapped up your gathering - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative designers we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to persist.”
Through your commitment and adaptability, especially over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.
The player input from last autumn’s Project ETHOS playtest was revealing. It affirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but made clear we still had work to do. It revealed the necessity for a sharper identity.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You took the criticism to heart and revamped Project ETHOS with a renewed goal - one that’s poised to deliver on its ambition to our fans.
Our confidence in Project ETHOS increases every day. To boost the incredible progress you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce the new hire as the latest Studio Head of the team. After several months of conversations, Ben comes aboard us on the specified date.
Ben’s leadership and expertise in the competitive gaming genre is considerable, having spent the past decade and a half producing and leading some of the most well-known franchises in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.
Please join me in receiving Ben soon. We are all excited to persist seeing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to ahead.
The President
Background of the Incoming Leader
Brinkman currently holds the position of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He earlier was employed at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.
Title Details and Vision
Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. At the time, the developers portrayed the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an exciting evolution on the category."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch explains. "Take on the opponents with new abilities, stakes, and obstacles that shift every round. Will you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively go big, risk it all, and hope your group can secure victory? The choice is in your hands."
The game lacks an official release date or supported systems, but fans can look forward to additional details as development advances.
