2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Management Transition Comes After Lukewarm Feedback
The new appointee assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing unveiling last fall.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer informed employees about this decision through an internal memo, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had shown the requirement for a more defined vision.
Ismailer stated that the team is now refining the project with a refreshed focus, aiming to better meet community desires.
A Pattern of Strategic Hires
The news echoes a similar action taken by the publisher in August, when they hired an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the entire message from the president's memo:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just completed your town hall - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a note, I expressed the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and talented designers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re excited for that relationship to persist.”
With your dedication and adaptability, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.
The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was informative. It validated the appeal of a action-packed game but made clear we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the requirement for a more distinct brand.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You took the feedback to consideration and revamped the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s poised to achieve its promise to our fans.
Our confidence in this project strengthens every day. To further the remarkable development you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce Ben Brinkman as the new Studio Head of the team. After a period of conversations, Ben starts with us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s management and expertise in the PVP shooter space is extensive, having devoted the last 15 years creating and managing some of the most well-known franchises in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and lately, the battle royale hit.
I invite you all in welcoming him next week. We are all excited to continue observing the development of the game in the time to come.
David
Experience of the Incoming Head
The appointee presently holds the role of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Details and Vision
Project Ethos was unveiled in last year in conjunction with a public demo. At the time, the developers presented the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling advancement 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 official summary reads. "Face the opponents with fresh skills, risks, and obstacles that shift every match. Will you leave securely with your collected items? Or aim high, gamble everything, and pray your group can achieve the highest spot? The option is yours."
Project Ethos lacks an official launch window or supported systems, but enthusiasts can look forward to additional details as creation advances.
