The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Transition Comes After Mixed Response
The new appointee assumes the leadership position at 31st Union following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' underwhelming unveiling last fall.
On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified team members about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had indicated the need for a distinct game identity.
The president expressed that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a revised vision, aiming to satisfy player expectations.
Trend of Key Acquisitions
The news mirrors a comparable action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the full message from the president's announcement:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just wrapped up your meeting - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Previously I shared you all a update, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and talented developers we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re eager for that partnership to endure.”
Given your hard work and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The community feedback from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was enlightening. It validated the potential of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had work to do. It highlighted the need for a more distinct vision.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the input to consideration and overhauled Project ETHOS with a revitalized vision - one that’s positioned to deliver on its potential to our audience.
The trust in this project strengthens every day. To further the incredible progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce Ben Brinkman as the new Studio Head of the team. Following a period of talks, Ben starts with us on next week.
Ben’s management and background in the competitive gaming field is extensive, having spent the recent years developing and overseeing some of the most recognizable series in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.
I invite you all in welcoming him in the coming days. We are all looking forward to keep observing the evolution of the game in the weeks to come.
David
Experience of the Incoming Head
Brinkman presently holds the position of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.
Title Details and Concept
The upcoming game was announced in last year in conjunction with a community playtest. At the time, the developers portrayed the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative evolution on the style."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch reads. "Challenge the competition with new abilities, risks, and obstacles that shift every session. Will you leave securely with your collected items? Or aim high, put it on the line, and hope your group can secure victory? The option is in your hands."
Project Ethos does not have an confirmed launch window or consoles, but players can look forward to more updates as production progresses.
