The renowned publisher has welcomed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the anticipated over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as this innovative game.
Management Transition Follows Poor Reception
Brinkman assumes the leadership position at 31st Union following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing unveiling last autumn.
Recently, 2K president David Ismailer informed employees about this strategic move through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had shown the requirement for a distinct direction.
The president expressed that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a refreshed focus, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.
A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions
The news follows a similar move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to work on the beloved franchise development group.
Here is the entire message from the president's announcement:
Dear Team—
I understand you all just completed your town hall - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most driven and talented developers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to endure.”
Through your commitment and versatility, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.
The player input from last autumn’s Project ETHOS demo was informative. It confirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the requirement for a clearer brand.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the criticism to heart and reimagined the title with a revitalized goal - one that’s ready to achieve its potential to our fans.
Our confidence in this project grows every day. To further the remarkable advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of the team. After some time of talks, Ben starts with us on Monday, October 20.
His leadership and background in the PVP shooter genre is considerable, having dedicated the last 15 years creating and leading some of the most recognizable series in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.
Please join me in receiving Ben next week. We are all eager to continue seeing the development of the game in the time to follow.
The President
Background of the Incoming Head
The appointee presently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman previously worked at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had periods at other industry leaders.
Game Details and Concept
The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a public demo. Initially, 31st Union described the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting step forward on the category."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the official summary explains. "Face the competition with fresh skills, stakes, and tests that shift every match. Will you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Alternatively go big, risk it all, and trust your team can achieve the highest spot? The option is yours."
The game has not yet received an confirmed debut schedule or consoles, but fans can anticipate further news as production advances.
