The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the development team at their internal studio, which is currently developing the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Management Transition Comes After Mixed Feedback
The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at the development studio following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster early showing last autumn.
Recently, 2K president a key figure notified staff about this organizational change through an internal memo, which highlighted 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 renewed vision, aiming to address player expectations.
A Pattern of Key Recruitment
This announcement follows a comparable action taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise development group.
Here is the full message from Ismailer's announcement:
Team—
I understand you all just wrapped up your gathering - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Previously I shared you all a message, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most driven and innovative developers we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re excited for that relationship to endure.”
With your dedication and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.
The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was informative. It confirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had work to do. It highlighted the requirement for a sharper identity.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the feedback to consideration and reimagined the title with a refreshed direction - one that’s ready to achieve its potential to our audience.
The trust in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To further the remarkable progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome the new hire as the latest Studio Head of 31st Union. Following some time of discussions, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20.
His management and background in the competitive gaming space is extensive, having devoted the past decade and a half creating and leading some of the most recognizable titles in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.
I invite you all in welcoming him in the coming days. We are all excited to keep witnessing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the time to ahead.
The President
Background of the New Head
Brinkman presently serves in the role of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.
Title Information and Concept
Project Ethos was unveiled in last year together with a public demo. Then, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting evolution on the category."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the official summary reads. "Take on the rivals with unique powers, risks, and tests that change every session. Do you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Alternatively take a risk, gamble everything, and trust your group can earn top ranking? The choice is in your hands."
The game lacks an confirmed release date or platforms, but enthusiasts can look forward to more updates as development advances.
