The renowned publisher has secured a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Management Change Comes After Mixed Response
Brinkman assumes the leadership position at 31st Union following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster early showing last autumn.
Recently, 2K president David Ismailer informed team members about this strategic move through an internal memo, which highlighted that playtesting had revealed the necessity for a distinct direction.
Ismailer noted that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a revised vision, aiming to address gamer demands.
Trend of Key Acquisitions
The news follows a comparable action taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the complete message from the president's memo:
Dear Team—
I know you all just completed your town hall - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and creative creators we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that partnership to continue.”
With your dedication and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.
The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS playtest was informative. It affirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had refinements needed. It revealed the requirement for a clearer vision.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the input to heart and reimagined the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s ready to achieve its ambition to our audience.
The trust in this project increases every day. To further the remarkable advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce Ben Brinkman as the new Studio Head of 31st Union. Following a period of talks, he starts with us on next week.
His leadership and background in the PVP shooter space is extensive, having dedicated the last 15 years producing and managing some of the most recognizable titles in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.
Please join me in receiving him next week. We are all looking forward to keep witnessing the progress of Project ETHOS in the time to ahead.
The President
Background of the Incoming Leader
Brinkman currently holds the position of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Details and Vision
The upcoming game was revealed in last year alongside a community playtest. At the time, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative evolution on the style."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the official summary explains. "Challenge the opponents with unique powers, risks, and tests that evolve every round. Will you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Alternatively aim high, put it on the line, and hope your squad can secure victory? The decision is in your hands."
The game does not have an announced release date or platforms, but players can expect more updates as creation progresses.
