2K Games has welcomed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Management Shift Follows Mixed Reception
Brinkman assumes the leadership position at 31st Union following the departure of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's underwhelming early showing last autumn.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure updated team members about this decision through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had indicated the necessity for a more defined direction.
The president stated that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a refreshed focus, aiming to satisfy community desires.
Trend of Strategic Hires
This announcement echoes a similar action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to work on the beloved franchise development group.
Here is the complete message from the president's memo:
Dear Team—
I know you all just wrapped up your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most driven and innovative designers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re excited for that partnership to continue.”
Through your commitment and flexibility, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The gamer responses from last fall’s the game demo was enlightening. It validated the promise of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had work to do. It revealed the requirement for a more distinct brand.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You took the input to heart and revamped Project ETHOS with a refreshed vision - one that’s ready to deliver on its potential to our audience.
The belief in this project strengthens every day. To further the incredible development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of the team. After some time of discussions, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20.
His guidance and experience in the competitive gaming space is extensive, having dedicated the past decade and a half producing and overseeing some of the most popular series in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.
Please join me in welcoming Ben soon. We are all excited to persist witnessing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to follow.
The President
Experience of the New Head
The appointee currently holds the role of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had assignments at other industry leaders.
Title Information and Concept
Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. At the time, 31st Union described the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting evolution on the style."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch states. "Challenge the rivals with fresh skills, risks, and tests that evolve every match. Will you safely extract with your collected items? Or aim high, risk it all, and trust your squad can earn top ranking? The choice is yours."
The game does not have an confirmed release date or supported systems, but fans can anticipate further news as development continues.
