2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Management Shift Follows Mixed Feedback
Brinkman assumes the role of studio head at 31st Union following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's disappointing early showing last autumn.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer updated employees about this strategic move through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had shown the requirement for a distinct game identity.
Ismailer expressed that the developers is now overhauling the project with a revised vision, aiming to satisfy player expectations.
Trend of Strategic Acquisitions
This announcement echoes a similar step taken by 2K Games in August, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the beloved franchise development group.
Here is the full message from Ismailer's communication:
Team—
I understand you all just wrapped up your gathering - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a note, I expressed the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative developers we have had the pleasure to work with - and we’re excited for that partnership to persist.”
With your dedication and versatility, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.
The player input from last autumn’s the game testing phase was revealing. It validated the potential of a action-packed game but told us we still had work to do. It revealed the necessity for a clearer identity.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You embraced the feedback to mind and reimagined the title with a revitalized direction - one that’s positioned to achieve its ambition to our fans.
Our confidence in this project strengthens every day. To advance the incredible progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce the new hire as the incoming Studio Head of 31st Union. After a period of talks, he officially joins us on the specified date.
His leadership and expertise in the competitive gaming field is extensive, having spent the last 15 years producing and managing some of the most popular franchises in gaming, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.
Let’s together in receiving him in the coming days. We are all excited to continue seeing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to ahead.
David
Background of the Incoming Leader
Brinkman currently holds the role of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Details and Vision
The upcoming game was revealed in last year in conjunction with a community playtest. Then, the developers described the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling evolution on the category."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch reads. "Take on the rivals with unique powers, challenges, and obstacles that shift every match. Do you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or aim high, put it on the line, and hope your squad can secure victory? The decision is in your hands."
Project Ethos does not have an official launch window or consoles, but enthusiasts can expect further news as development continues.
