2K Games has welcomed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Management Shift Follows Poor Response
The new appointee assumes the role of studio head at the development studio following the exit of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's disappointing initial reveal last autumn.
Recently, the company's top executive a key figure notified staff about this decision through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had revealed the necessity for a more defined direction.
The president noted that the team is now overhauling the project with a refreshed approach, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.
Trend of Key Acquisitions
This announcement follows a comparable step taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise development group.
Below is the entire text from the president's communication:
Dear Team—
I know you all just wrapped up your gathering - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a message, I stated the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative creators we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that relationship to persist.”
Given your hard work and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The player input from last autumn’s the game demo was informative. It affirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had work to do. It revealed the necessity for a clearer vision.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the feedback to mind and revamped the title with a revitalized direction - one that’s positioned to deliver on its ambition to our fans.
The trust in this project grows every day. To further the outstanding development you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce the new hire as the new Studio Head of 31st Union. Following several months of discussions, Ben officially joins us on next week.
His leadership and expertise in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having dedicated the past decade and a half producing and overseeing some of the most recognizable titles in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.
Please join me in receiving him soon. We are all excited to keep witnessing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the time to come.
The President
Background of the New Head
Brinkman presently holds the position of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had periods at other industry leaders.
Game Information and Vision
The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 alongside a early access event. At the time, the developers presented the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative advancement 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 suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch reads. "Face the opponents with new abilities, challenges, and tests that shift every match. Will you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Alternatively take a risk, put it on the line, and pray your group can achieve the highest spot? The option is yours."
Project Ethos lacks an confirmed release date or supported systems, but fans can expect further news as production progresses.
