🔗 Share this article

2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Change Follows Mixed Response

The new appointee steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster early showing last fall.

Recently, 2K president a key figure updated team members about this strategic move through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had shown the need for a clearer game identity.

Ismailer stated that the team is now reimagining the project with a revised vision, aiming to better meet community desires.

Trend of Key Acquisitions

The news mirrors a comparable action taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from Blizzard to contribute to the BioShock development group.

Here is the entire text from the president's announcement:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just completed your meeting - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a message, I expressed the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most driven and creative creators we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re eager for that relationship to endure.”

With your dedication and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s the game demo was enlightening. It confirmed the promise of a action-packed game but told us we still had refinements needed. It revealed the requirement for a more distinct identity.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the input to heart and overhauled the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s positioned to deliver on its potential to our fans.

The belief in this project increases every day. To advance the incredible development you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome the new hire as the latest Studio Head of 31st Union. After a period of conversations, Ben comes aboard us on next week.

Ben’s leadership and background in the competitive gaming space is vast, having devoted the recent years producing and overseeing some of the most popular franchises in the industry, such as the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in receiving him soon. We are all eager to keep witnessing the development of the game in the time to follow.

The President

Background of the Incoming Head

Brinkman currently serves in the position of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, prior to that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Information and Vision

The upcoming game was revealed in last year together with a public demo. Then, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an thrilling step forward on the category."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to match your preferred approach," the official summary explains. "Take on the opponents with unique powers, challenges, and challenges that shift every match. Will you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or go big, put it on the line, and pray your squad can earn top ranking? The decision is up to you."

The game does not have an announced release date or consoles, but players can expect further news as development progresses.