🔗 Share this article

2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Change Follows Lukewarm Response

The new appointee steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the departure of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster early showing last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had revealed the need for a clearer vision.

Ismailer noted that the team is now overhauling the project with a renewed approach, aiming to better meet community desires.

A Pattern of Key Recruitment

The news echoes a comparable action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the complete content from Ismailer's announcement:

Team—

I know you all just finished your gathering - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a message, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and creative creators we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re eager for that partnership to continue.”

Through your commitment and flexibility, especially over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.

The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS playtest was informative. It affirmed the promise of a action-packed game but made clear we still had work to do. It revealed the need for a more distinct vision.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You embraced the input to consideration and reimagined the title with a revitalized vision - one that’s poised to achieve its potential to our players.

The trust in this project strengthens every day. To boost the remarkable progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Lead of the team. After several months of conversations, Ben starts with us on next week.

His guidance and experience in the PVP shooter genre is vast, having spent the recent years developing and managing some of the most well-known titles in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in welcoming Ben next week. We are all eager to continue seeing the development of the game in the months to follow.

The President

Background of the Incoming Head

Brinkman currently holds the position of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.

Title Details and Vision

The upcoming game was revealed in last year alongside a early access event. Then, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative evolution on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch explains. "Face the competition with fresh skills, stakes, and challenges that shift every session. Do you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Or take a risk, put it on the line, and hope your squad can achieve the highest spot? The option is up to you."

The game lacks an confirmed debut schedule or platforms, but players can anticipate further news as development continues.