🔗 Share this article

2K Games has welcomed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Management Change Comes After Lukewarm Feedback

The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at the development studio following the exit of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster early showing last fall.

Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified staff about this organizational change through an internal memo, which highlighted that playtesting had indicated the necessity for a clearer vision.

The president noted that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a revised focus, aiming to satisfy community desires.

A Pattern of Key Hires

The news follows a similar action taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the entire message from Ismailer's memo:

Team—

I know you all just completed your town hall - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this crew. 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 partnership to endure.”

With your dedication and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The player input from last autumn’s Project ETHOS demo was informative. It validated the potential of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the requirement for a clearer identity.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the feedback to heart and overhauled Project ETHOS with a revitalized goal - one that’s poised to fulfill its ambition to our audience.

The trust in Project ETHOS increases every day. To boost the remarkable progress you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce the new hire as the incoming Director of 31st Union. Following some time of discussions, Ben starts with us on next week.

Ben’s management and background in the PVP shooter field is vast, having dedicated the last 15 years creating and managing some of the most recognizable titles in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.

Let’s together in receiving Ben in the coming days. We are all excited to keep witnessing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the time to ahead.

David

Experience of the Incoming Head

Brinkman presently holds the role of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He previously worked at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Details and Concept

The upcoming game was unveiled in last year together with a early access event. Initially, the developers presented the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative evolution 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 official summary states. "Face the opponents with new abilities, risks, and tests that shift every round. Do you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively aim high, risk it all, and trust your group can achieve the highest spot? The option is in your hands."

Project Ethos has not yet received an confirmed release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can look forward to further news as creation progresses.