2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Change Comes After Mixed Reception
Brinkman takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster unveiling last fall.
On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which emphasized that playtesting had revealed the need for a distinct game identity.
The president noted that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a refreshed vision, aiming to better meet player expectations.
Trend of Strategic Hires
The news echoes a similar action taken by the publisher in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the BioShock development group.
Below is the full message from the president's announcement:
Team—
I know you all just completed 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 crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative creators we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to persist.”
Given your hard work and adaptability, particularly over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had refinements needed. It revealed the requirement for a clearer brand.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the criticism to heart and reimagined the title with a renewed direction - one that’s ready to achieve its potential to our audience.
The belief in Project ETHOS grows every day. To boost the outstanding progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce Ben Brinkman as the new Studio Head of the team. Following some time of discussions, Ben starts with us on the specified date.
Ben’s management and experience in the PVP shooter space is considerable, having spent the last 15 years creating and overseeing some of the most recognizable titles in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, the battle royale hit.
Let’s together in welcoming him soon. We are all excited to continue observing the progress of the game in the months to come.
The President
Experience of the New Head
Brinkman currently serves in the position of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously worked at major gaming companies in various development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Information and Concept
The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 together with a public demo. At the time, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting step forward 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 states. "Face the opponents with fresh skills, stakes, and tests that evolve every round. Do you safely extract with your collected items? Alternatively take a risk, gamble everything, and trust your squad can secure victory? The decision is up to you."
The game does not have an confirmed debut schedule or consoles, but enthusiasts can look forward to additional details as creation progresses.
