2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Leadership Change Follows Poor Reception
Brinkman assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing initial reveal last fall.
On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified staff about this strategic move through an internal memo, which emphasized that playtesting had shown the need for a distinct vision.
The president noted that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a renewed vision, aiming to address community desires.
Trend of Key Recruitment
This announcement follows a comparable step taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise development group.
Below is the full content from Ismailer's memo:
Team—
I understand you all just finished your town hall - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a note, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most driven and talented developers we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that relationship to persist.”
Through your commitment and flexibility, particularly over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.
The gamer responses from last autumn’s the game playtest was enlightening. It affirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had improvements to make. It revealed the requirement for a sharper brand.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the input to mind and reimagined the title with a renewed vision - one that’s positioned to fulfill its ambition to our audience.
The trust in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To advance the incredible advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce the new hire as the latest Studio Head of the team. After several months of conversations, Ben comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.
His guidance and experience in the PVP shooter field is vast, having dedicated the recent years creating and leading some of the most recognizable franchises in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.
I invite you all in greeting Ben next week. We are all looking forward to continue observing the progress of Project ETHOS in the weeks to come.
The President
Background of the Incoming Leader
The appointee currently holds the position of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously worked at major gaming companies in various production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.
Game Information and Vision
The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 together with a community playtest. Then, the developers portrayed the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an exciting advancement on the category."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the official summary explains. "Face the competition with fresh skills, risks, and challenges that shift every session. Do you safely extract with your collected items? Or aim high, put it on the line, and hope your squad can achieve the highest spot? The decision is in your hands."
The game lacks an announced debut schedule or supported systems, but players can look forward to further news as production progresses.
