2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the development team at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Management Shift Follows Lukewarm Reception
Brinkman 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 Project Ethos' lackluster initial reveal last fall.
On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified team members about this decision through an official communication, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had indicated the necessity for a distinct direction.
Ismailer stated that the developers is now reimagining the project with a renewed vision, aiming to satisfy player expectations.
A Pattern of Strategic Hires
This announcement follows a similar move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to work on the beloved franchise development group.
Here is the entire message from Ismailer's memo:
Team—
I understand you all just finished your town hall - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most driven and talented developers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re eager for that partnership to persist.”
With your dedication and flexibility, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was revealing. It validated the promise of a action-packed game but made clear we still had refinements needed. It revealed the need for a sharper brand.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the criticism to consideration and revamped the title with a renewed direction - one that’s poised to achieve its ambition to our players.
Our confidence in this project increases every day. To further the outstanding progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce the new hire as the incoming Director of 31st Union. Following some time of discussions, Ben starts with us on next week.
Ben’s leadership and background in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having spent the past decade and a half developing and leading some of the most recognizable titles in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and lately, the battle royale hit.
Please join me in receiving Ben next week. We are all excited to continue observing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to come.
David
Experience of the New Head
Brinkman presently holds the role of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, earlier in his career, had periods at other industry leaders.
Game Details and Concept
The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 alongside a public demo. Initially, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative step forward on the genre."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the official summary states. "Challenge the competition with fresh skills, risks, and obstacles that change every match. Will you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively go big, put it on the line, and trust your squad can achieve the highest spot? The decision is in your hands."
The game does not have an announced debut schedule or supported systems, but fans can look forward to more updates as creation continues.
