2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Change Follows Mixed Reception
The new appointee assumes the leadership position at 31st Union following the exit of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster unveiling last autumn.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified staff about this decision through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had revealed the necessity for a clearer vision.
Ismailer stated that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a revised approach, aiming to better meet gamer demands.
Trend of Strategic Hires
The news follows a similar action taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the BioShock development group.
Below is the full content from Ismailer's communication:
Dear Team—
I understand you all just completed your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Last time I shared you all a message, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative designers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to continue.”
With your dedication and flexibility, especially over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.
The community feedback from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was enlightening. It validated the potential of a action-packed game but told us we still had refinements needed. It revealed the requirement for a sharper brand.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the input to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a refreshed direction - one that’s poised to achieve its promise to our audience.
Our confidence in Project ETHOS grows every day. To boost the incredible development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of the team. After some time of discussions, he starts with us on next week.
His guidance and expertise in the competitive gaming field is extensive, having spent the last 15 years producing and managing some of the most recognizable series in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.
Please join me in receiving him in the coming days. We are all looking forward to keep witnessing the progress of the game in the time to come.
David
Experience of the New Head
The appointee currently serves in the position of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier was employed at major gaming companies in various production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had stints at other industry leaders.
Game Information and Vision
Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 alongside a public demo. At the time, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting evolution 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 states. "Challenge the rivals with fresh skills, challenges, and obstacles that change every round. Will you safely extract with your collected items? Alternatively aim high, put it on the line, and trust your team can secure victory? The option is up to you."
The game lacks an announced debut schedule or supported systems, but enthusiasts can expect further news as development progresses.
