2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Management Shift Comes After Mixed Feedback
The new appointee steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the exit of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's underwhelming initial reveal last autumn.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified staff about this organizational change through an internal memo, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had revealed the requirement for a distinct direction.
The president expressed that the developers is now overhauling the project with a renewed focus, aiming to address player expectations.
Trend of Key Hires
This announcement mirrors a comparable step taken by 2K Games in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.
Below is the full text from the president's memo:
Dear Team—
I know you all just wrapped up your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I am confident 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 excited for that collaboration to continue.”
Given your hard work and flexibility, especially over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.
The player input from last autumn’s the game testing phase was revealing. It affirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the requirement for a clearer brand.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the input to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a renewed goal - one that’s ready to fulfill its ambition to our players.
Our confidence in this project grows every day. To boost the remarkable development you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce the new hire as the new Director of 31st Union. Following some time of talks, Ben comes aboard us on next week.
Ben’s management and background in the PVP shooter space is vast, having spent the past decade and a half creating and overseeing some of the most recognizable franchises in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.
Please join me in welcoming Ben next week. We are all looking forward to continue seeing the evolution of the game in the months to follow.
David
Experience of the Incoming Leader
The appointee currently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, before that, had assignments at other industry leaders.
Game Information and Vision
Project Ethos was unveiled in October 2024 together with a community playtest. At the time, 31st Union described the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling advancement on the style."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to match your preferred approach," the official summary states. "Face the opponents with new abilities, risks, and challenges that evolve every match. Will you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Or go big, put it on the line, and pray your team can earn top ranking? The choice is yours."
Project Ethos has not yet received an confirmed release date or supported systems, but players can anticipate additional details as creation progresses.
