2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently developing the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Leadership Transition Follows Lukewarm Reception
The new appointee assumes the role of studio head at the development studio following the departure of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's underwhelming initial reveal last autumn.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified team members about this decision through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had indicated the requirement for a distinct direction.
The president noted that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a renewed approach, aiming to better meet gamer demands.
Trend of Key Recruitment
This announcement echoes a comparable move taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the entire text from Ismailer's communication:
Dear Team—
I understand you all just finished your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented developers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re eager for that partnership to endure.”
Through your commitment and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.
The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was informative. It confirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had work to do. It uncovered the requirement for a sharper brand.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the feedback to mind and overhauled Project ETHOS with a refreshed direction - one that’s positioned to deliver on its promise to our audience.
The belief in this project strengthens every day. To advance the incredible development you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Director of the team. After a period of talks, he comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s leadership and expertise in the competitive gaming genre is vast, having spent the last 15 years creating and leading some of the most well-known series in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.
Let’s together in greeting him next week. We are all excited to keep seeing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the time to follow.
The President
Background of the Incoming Leader
The appointee currently serves in the role of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in various development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, earlier in his career, had periods at other industry leaders.
Game Information and Concept
Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a early access event. At the time, the developers portrayed the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an innovative advancement on the category."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the description states. "Face the competition with fresh skills, risks, and challenges that shift every session. Will you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or take a risk, gamble everything, and pray your team can secure victory? The option is yours."
The game lacks an official debut schedule or consoles, but enthusiasts can expect further news as production progresses.
