🔗 Share this article

The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently developing the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Change Comes After Poor Reception

The new appointee steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's disappointing unveiling last autumn.

Recently, 2K president David Ismailer notified staff about this strategic move through an internal memo, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had indicated the need for a clearer direction.

Ismailer stated that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a renewed approach, aiming to address gamer demands.

Trend of Strategic Recruitment

The news follows a comparable move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the beloved franchise development group.

Below is the full message from Ismailer's communication:

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just wrapped up your meeting - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Previously I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and creative developers we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to continue.”

Given your hard work and versatility, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The community feedback from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was informative. It confirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had work to do. It highlighted the requirement for a more distinct vision.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You embraced the feedback to consideration and reimagined the title with a refreshed goal - one that’s ready to deliver on its promise to our audience.

The belief in Project ETHOS increases every day. To boost the incredible development you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Director of the team. After some time of discussions, Ben comes aboard us on next week.

Ben’s management and background in the competitive gaming field is extensive, having devoted the recent years developing and leading some of the most well-known series in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in greeting Ben in the coming days. We are all excited to keep witnessing the progress of the game in the months to come.

The President

Background of the New Leader

The appointee currently serves in the role of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Concept

Project Ethos was unveiled in last year alongside a public demo. Then, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an innovative step forward on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the official summary states. "Challenge the competition with new abilities, stakes, and obstacles that shift every round. Do you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Alternatively aim high, put it on the line, and trust your squad can secure victory? The option is yours."

The game lacks an confirmed launch window or platforms, but fans can look forward to more updates as creation progresses.