The renowned publisher has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently developing the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Management Shift Comes After Mixed Feedback
Brinkman steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' disappointing initial reveal last fall.
Recently, 2K president David Ismailer notified team members about this strategic move through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had indicated the requirement for a distinct direction.
The president stated that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to better meet community desires.
Trend of Key Hires
The news follows a similar move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the BioShock development group.
Below is the entire text from the president's memo:
Team—
I understand you all just completed your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a note, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative developers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re excited for that relationship to continue.”
Through your commitment and flexibility, especially over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.
The gamer responses from last fall’s the game testing phase was revealing. It confirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but made clear we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the need for a clearer identity.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You embraced the criticism to consideration and revamped the title with a renewed vision - one that’s ready to fulfill its ambition to our fans.
The belief in this project increases every day. To advance the outstanding advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome the new hire as the incoming Director of 31st Union. Following a period of discussions, Ben starts with us on Monday, October 20.
His management and background in the PVP shooter space is extensive, having spent the last 15 years creating and managing some of the most recognizable series in gaming, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.
Let’s together in receiving him in the coming days. We are all excited to persist witnessing the progress of the game in the weeks to come.
The President
Experience of the New Leader
The appointee currently serves in the role of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Information and Concept
Project Ethos was unveiled in last year in conjunction with a community playtest. At the time, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling step forward on the style."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the official summary states. "Face the competition with new abilities, risks, and tests that evolve every round. Will you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively aim high, put it on the line, and hope your group can achieve the highest spot? The choice is up to you."
The game does not have an confirmed launch window or supported systems, but enthusiasts can expect additional details as creation progresses.
