🔗 Share this article

2K Games has welcomed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the forthcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Leadership Transition Follows Mixed Reception

Brinkman steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing unveiling last autumn.

Recently, 2K president a key figure informed team members about this organizational change through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had revealed the need for a more defined direction.

The president stated that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to satisfy community desires.

Trend of Strategic Acquisitions

The news follows a similar move taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise development group.

Here is the full message from Ismailer's communication:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just wrapped up your meeting - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this team. 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 endure.”

With your dedication and adaptability, particularly over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS playtest was informative. It confirmed the promise of a action-packed game but told us we still had refinements needed. It revealed the necessity for a sharper identity.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the feedback to mind and overhauled Project ETHOS with a refreshed vision - one that’s positioned to fulfill its promise to our players.

Our confidence in Project ETHOS increases every day. To boost the incredible development you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Lead of the team. Following several months of talks, he officially joins us on next week.

His leadership and expertise in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having spent the past decade and a half developing and managing some of the most recognizable series in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in welcoming Ben soon. We are all excited to persist seeing the progress of the game in the weeks to follow.

David

Background of the New Head

Brinkman presently holds the position of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He earlier was employed at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, prior to that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Vision

The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. At the time, 31st Union presented the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an exciting step forward on the category."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the description states. "Face the competition with fresh skills, challenges, and challenges that shift every match. Do you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively aim high, gamble everything, and trust your team can secure victory? The decision is up to you."

Project Ethos lacks an official release date or consoles, but players can anticipate further news as development advances.