2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Leadership Shift Follows Lukewarm Response
The new appointee assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' underwhelming early showing last autumn.
On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer informed team members about this decision through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had shown the requirement for a more defined game identity.
Ismailer expressed that the developers is now overhauling the project with a refreshed approach, aiming to better meet player expectations.
A Pattern of Key Recruitment
This announcement mirrors a similar move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the complete message from the president's communication:
Team—
I know you all just finished your town hall - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a note, I expressed the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented developers we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re excited for that relationship to continue.”
Given your hard work and adaptability, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The player input from last autumn’s Project ETHOS demo was enlightening. It confirmed the potential of a action-packed game but indicated we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the requirement for a sharper vision.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the feedback to mind and reimagined Project ETHOS with a renewed vision - one that’s poised to deliver on its ambition to our fans.
The belief in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To advance the remarkable advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome the new hire as the new Studio Head of the team. After a period of talks, he comes aboard us on the specified date.
Ben’s guidance and experience in the competitive gaming genre is considerable, having devoted the recent years creating and overseeing some of the most popular series in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.
I invite you all in receiving him in the coming days. We are all excited to keep observing the evolution of the game in the months to come.
The President
Background of the New Head
The appointee presently serves in the role of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.
Title Details and Vision
Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. Then, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting step forward on the category."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the description states. "Face the competition with new abilities, challenges, and challenges that shift every session. Do you leave securely with your collected items? Or go big, gamble everything, and pray your group can secure victory? The option is up to you."
The game has not yet received an confirmed debut schedule or supported systems, but enthusiasts can expect further news as creation advances.
