2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Management Change Comes After Lukewarm Reception
The new appointee takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster initial reveal last autumn.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer informed employees about this decision through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had indicated the need for a distinct direction.
The president noted that the developers is now refining the project with a revised vision, aiming to better meet 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 studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the full text from Ismailer's communication:
Hello Everyone—
I know you all just completed your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a message, I stated the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most driven and creative developers we have had the pleasure to work with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to persist.”
Through your commitment and versatility, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The player input from last autumn’s the game demo was informative. It confirmed the promise of a action-packed game but told us we still had work to do. It revealed the need for a clearer brand.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the criticism to heart and revamped the title with a revitalized goal - one that’s ready to deliver on its potential to our fans.
Our confidence in Project ETHOS increases every day. To further the incredible advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome the new hire as the new Director of 31st Union. After some time of discussions, Ben comes aboard us on the specified date.
His management and expertise in the PVP shooter genre is considerable, having devoted the recent years developing and leading some of the most well-known franchises in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.
I invite you all in greeting Ben soon. We are all eager to continue witnessing the progress of Project ETHOS in the weeks to come.
David
Experience of the New Head
Brinkman currently holds the role of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had periods at other industry leaders.
Title Details and Vision
The upcoming game was announced in last year together with a public demo. At the time, the developers described the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an exciting step forward on the category."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in real-time to match your preferred approach," the description states. "Challenge the opponents with fresh skills, stakes, and challenges that change every round. Do you leave securely with your collected items? Alternatively go big, gamble everything, and pray your group can secure victory? The option is in your hands."
Project Ethos has not yet received an confirmed launch window or platforms, but fans can expect further news as creation advances.
