The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the development team at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the forthcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Management Shift Follows Mixed Response
The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming early showing last autumn.
Recently, 2K president a key figure updated staff about this organizational change through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had shown the necessity for a distinct vision.
Ismailer stated that the developers is now overhauling the project with a renewed approach, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.
Trend of Strategic Hires
This announcement follows a comparable step taken by the publisher in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the complete text from the president's announcement:
Hello Everyone—
I know you all just completed your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a note, I stated the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative designers we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re excited for that relationship to persist.”
Through your commitment and versatility, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The gamer responses from last autumn’s the game demo was enlightening. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the need for a more distinct identity.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the feedback to consideration and reimagined Project ETHOS with a renewed vision - one that’s poised to fulfill its promise to our audience.
The trust in Project ETHOS increases every day. To further the incredible advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome Ben Brinkman as the latest Director of 31st Union. Following some time of conversations, Ben comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s leadership and experience in the competitive gaming field is extensive, having dedicated the recent years producing and overseeing some of the most well-known titles in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, Apex Legends.
Let’s together in receiving him in the coming days. We are all excited to continue seeing the evolution of the game in the time to ahead.
David
Experience of the New Leader
Brinkman currently serves in the role of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier was employed at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Information and Vision
The upcoming game was revealed in last year alongside a early access event. Initially, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an exciting step forward on the style."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch reads. "Challenge the competition with new abilities, risks, and obstacles that change every round. Will you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Or go big, put it on the line, and trust your squad can secure victory? The choice is in your hands."
Project Ethos does not have an official launch window or consoles, but fans can look forward to additional details as development advances.
