2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the forthcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Shift Follows Lukewarm Reception
The new appointee takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster early showing last fall.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure informed employees about this strategic move through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had revealed the need for a distinct game identity.
The president stated that the developers is now refining the project with a renewed vision, aiming to better meet gamer demands.
A Pattern of Key Acquisitions
The news echoes a comparable move taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise development group.
Below is the complete text from the president's communication:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just completed your gathering - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a message, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most driven and innovative creators we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re looking forward for that relationship to continue.”
With your dedication and flexibility, particularly over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.
The community feedback from last autumn’s Project ETHOS playtest was enlightening. It confirmed the promise of a action-packed game but indicated we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the necessity for a clearer vision.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the criticism to mind and reimagined Project ETHOS with a revitalized direction - one that’s poised to deliver on its ambition to our fans.
Our confidence in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To boost the outstanding advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce the new hire as the incoming Director of the team. After several months of conversations, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20.
His guidance and experience in the PVP shooter space is extensive, having dedicated the last 15 years creating and overseeing some of the most well-known franchises in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.
I invite you all in receiving him next week. We are all eager to keep witnessing the development of the game in the months to ahead.
David
Background of the Incoming Head
The appointee currently holds the role of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman previously worked at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Details and Concept
The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. Initially, 31st Union presented the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative evolution on the genre."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the description explains. "Challenge the opponents with fresh skills, risks, and obstacles that change every session. Will you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Alternatively go big, gamble everything, and pray your group can secure victory? The choice is up to you."
The game lacks an announced debut schedule or platforms, but enthusiasts can look forward to additional details as development continues.
