The renowned publisher has welcomed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Transition Comes After Poor Response
The new appointee assumes the role of studio head 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 initial reveal last autumn.
On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified team members about this decision through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had indicated the necessity for a more defined direction.
Ismailer stated that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a revised focus, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.
Trend of Key Acquisitions
The news echoes a comparable move taken by 2K Games in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the complete message from Ismailer's communication:
Team—
I know you all just finished your gathering - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the positive developments. Previously I sent you all a update, I stated the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most driven and innovative developers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to persist.”
With your dedication and versatility, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.
The player input from last autumn’s Project ETHOS playtest was revealing. It validated the potential of a action-packed game but told us we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the necessity for a sharper brand.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the input to consideration and reimagined Project ETHOS with a renewed direction - one that’s ready to fulfill its ambition to our fans.
The trust in Project ETHOS increases every day. To advance the remarkable progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome Ben Brinkman as the new Studio Head of the team. After some time of conversations, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.
His management and expertise in the PVP shooter field is considerable, having spent the past decade and a half creating and managing some of the most recognizable series in the industry, for example the acclaimed shooter, and lately, Apex Legends.
I invite you all in receiving him soon. We are all excited to keep observing the evolution of the game in the weeks to ahead.
The President
Experience of the Incoming Head
Brinkman presently holds the role of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.
Title Information and Vision
Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. Initially, 31st Union described the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an thrilling step forward on the style."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the description explains. "Challenge the competition with fresh skills, stakes, and challenges that evolve every match. Do you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Alternatively aim high, gamble everything, and hope your squad can achieve the highest spot? The choice is yours."
The game has not yet received an official release date or consoles, but enthusiasts can anticipate additional details as creation continues.
