2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently developing the forthcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Management Shift Comes After Lukewarm Feedback
The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union 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 fall.
Recently, 2K president a key figure informed staff about this strategic move through an official communication, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had revealed the necessity for a more defined vision.
Ismailer noted that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a refreshed focus, aiming to address community desires.
A Pattern of Key Acquisitions
The news echoes a comparable move taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the entire message from Ismailer's communication:
Hello Everyone—
I know you all just finished your gathering - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a note, I expressed the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented creators we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that partnership to endure.”
Given your hard work and adaptability, particularly over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.
The community feedback from last fall’s the game demo was informative. It validated the appeal of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had refinements needed. It revealed the necessity for a more distinct identity.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You embraced the feedback to mind and revamped the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s positioned to deliver on its ambition to our fans.
Our confidence in this project increases every day. To boost the remarkable development you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome Ben Brinkman as the latest Director of 31st Union. Following several months of talks, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s management and experience in the competitive gaming genre is extensive, having devoted the last 15 years developing and overseeing some of the most well-known franchises in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.
Please join me in greeting him soon. We are all eager to keep witnessing the evolution of the game in the weeks to come.
The President
Background of the Incoming Leader
The appointee currently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Information and Vision
Project Ethos was unveiled in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. At the time, 31st Union presented the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling evolution on the genre."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch states. "Take on the rivals with unique powers, stakes, and challenges that change every session. Will you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Or take a risk, put it on the line, and hope your group can achieve the highest spot? The decision is up to you."
Project Ethos has not yet received an official release date or supported systems, but players can anticipate additional details as production advances.
