The renowned publisher has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the forthcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Management Change Follows Mixed Reception
The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at the development studio following the departure of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' disappointing unveiling last autumn.
On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer informed team members about this organizational change through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had shown the requirement for a clearer game identity.
Ismailer expressed that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a renewed vision, aiming to address player expectations.
Trend of Key Hires
This announcement mirrors a comparable action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the entire message from the president's announcement:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just completed your meeting - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most driven and creative creators we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that relationship to endure.”
With your dedication and flexibility, especially over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.
The player input from last autumn’s the game playtest was informative. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had work to do. It uncovered the requirement for a more distinct identity.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the criticism to heart and overhauled Project ETHOS with a revitalized goal - one that’s ready to fulfill its ambition to our audience.
Our confidence in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the outstanding development you’ve made, I’m excited to announce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of 31st Union. After a period of discussions, he starts with us on next week.
His guidance and expertise in the competitive gaming genre is extensive, having devoted the recent years creating and leading some of the most recognizable titles in the industry, such as the acclaimed shooter, and lately, Apex Legends.
Let’s together in receiving Ben soon. We are all eager to persist witnessing the evolution of the game in the months to come.
David
Experience of the New Leader
Brinkman currently holds the role of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier worked at major gaming companies in various production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Information and Concept
Project Ethos was unveiled in October 2024 together with a early access event. At the time, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling advancement on the genre."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to match your preferred approach," the game's pitch explains. "Take on the opponents with unique powers, stakes, and tests that evolve every round. Will you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively aim high, gamble everything, and pray your team can achieve the highest spot? The option is up to you."
Project Ethos lacks an announced release date or supported systems, but fans can anticipate further news as production progresses.
