The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently developing the upcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Management Transition Comes After Mixed Reception
The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster early showing last fall.
Recently, 2K president a key figure updated staff about this organizational change through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had revealed the necessity for a distinct direction.
The president stated that the developers is now refining the project with a revised focus, aiming to satisfy player expectations.
Trend of Key Hires
This announcement mirrors a comparable step taken by 2K Games in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the entire message from Ismailer's communication:
Team—
I understand you all just wrapped up your gathering - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a message, I expressed the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and talented designers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re eager for that partnership to endure.”
With your dedication and adaptability, particularly over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The gamer responses from last fall’s the game demo was revealing. It affirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but told us we still had refinements needed. It revealed the need for a more distinct brand.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You took the criticism to heart and reimagined the title with a revitalized direction - one that’s positioned to fulfill its potential to our audience.
Our confidence in this project strengthens every day. To further the outstanding advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce the new hire as the latest Director of 31st Union. After several months of discussions, he officially joins us on next week.
His guidance and experience in the PVP shooter field is considerable, having spent the last 15 years developing and leading some of the most popular titles in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.
Let’s together in receiving Ben in the coming days. We are all looking forward to continue witnessing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the time to follow.
The President
Background of the Incoming Head
The appointee currently serves in the role of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Information and Concept
Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a early access event. Initially, the developers described the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling step forward on the category."
"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 reads. "Challenge the competition with fresh skills, challenges, and obstacles that shift every round. Will you leave securely with your collected items? Alternatively go big, gamble everything, and trust your team can secure victory? The decision is in your hands."
The game lacks an confirmed release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can expect further news as creation progresses.
