The renowned publisher has secured a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the forthcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Transition Comes After Mixed Feedback
Brinkman assumes the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's lackluster unveiling last fall.
On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified team members about this decision through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had indicated the necessity for a distinct game identity.
The president noted that the team is now overhauling the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to satisfy player expectations.
Trend of Strategic Acquisitions
The news mirrors a comparable action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on an industry veteran from the Diablo team to work on the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the complete content from the president's communication:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just completed your gathering - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a message, I stated the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and creative designers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to continue.”
With your dedication and flexibility, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.
The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It validated the appeal of a action-packed game but indicated we still had work to do. It highlighted the requirement for a sharper vision.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the feedback to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a refreshed vision - one that’s positioned to fulfill its promise to our players.
The trust in this project increases every day. To boost the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to announce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of 31st Union. Following some time of discussions, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s leadership and expertise in the competitive gaming space is considerable, having devoted the past decade and a half creating and managing some of the most popular franchises in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, Apex Legends.
I invite you all in welcoming him soon. We are all excited to keep observing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the months to follow.
The President
Experience of the Incoming Head
The appointee presently holds the role of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier worked at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.
Title Information and Vision
The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. At the time, the developers described the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting advancement 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 match your preferred approach," the game's pitch states. "Challenge the opponents with unique powers, stakes, and obstacles that shift every match. Do you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Alternatively take a risk, gamble everything, and pray your team can secure victory? The decision is up to you."
The game does not have an announced launch window or platforms, but fans can expect additional details as production progresses.
