The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the development team at their internal studio, which is currently working on the anticipated over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Transition Comes After Mixed Feedback
The new appointee steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing early showing last autumn.
Recently, 2K president David Ismailer notified employees about this strategic move through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had indicated the need for a more defined vision.
The president stated that the team is now refining the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to address gamer demands.
Trend of Key Recruitment
This announcement mirrors a similar step taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the beloved franchise development group.
Below is the complete message from the president's memo:
Hello Everyone—
I know you all just wrapped up your meeting - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative developers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that partnership to endure.”
Through your commitment and adaptability, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The player input from last autumn’s the game playtest was informative. It confirmed the promise of a action-packed game but told us we still had refinements needed. It revealed the requirement for a more distinct vision.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the input to consideration and reimagined Project ETHOS with a revitalized vision - one that’s ready to achieve its ambition to our audience.
Our confidence in this project strengthens every day. To boost the remarkable advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome the new hire as the latest Director of 31st Union. Following several months of talks, Ben starts with us on Monday, October 20.
His guidance and experience in the PVP shooter field is vast, having spent the last 15 years developing and overseeing some of the most recognizable series in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.
Please join me in greeting Ben in the coming days. We are all eager to continue witnessing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to follow.
David
Background of the New Leader
The appointee currently serves in the position of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had periods at other industry leaders.
Game Information and Vision
The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 together with a early access event. Then, the developers described the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling advancement on the style."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the game's pitch reads. "Challenge the opponents with fresh skills, stakes, and obstacles that evolve every round. Will you safely extract with your collected items? Or go big, risk it all, and pray your squad can secure victory? The option is yours."
The game lacks an announced launch window or supported systems, but enthusiasts can anticipate more updates as development advances.
