The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Management Change Follows Poor Feedback
Brinkman assumes the leadership position at 31st Union following the exit of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's lackluster initial reveal last autumn.
On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure updated staff about this strategic move through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had indicated the necessity for a clearer direction.
The president noted that the team is now overhauling the project with a renewed approach, aiming to better meet gamer demands.
A Pattern of Key Hires
The news echoes a similar action taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise development group.
Below is the entire content from the president's memo:
Dear Team—
I know you all just completed your gathering - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and talented designers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to persist.”
Given your hard work and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The player input from last autumn’s the game playtest was enlightening. It validated the promise of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had refinements needed. It revealed the necessity for a more distinct brand.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the feedback to mind and revamped Project ETHOS with a revitalized vision - one that’s poised to deliver on its promise to our fans.
Our confidence in this project grows every day. To further the remarkable development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of the team. After some time of discussions, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.
His management and background in the competitive gaming space is vast, having dedicated the past decade and a half creating and leading some of the most popular series in gaming, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.
Please join me in greeting Ben next week. We are all excited to continue witnessing the progress of Project ETHOS in the weeks to come.
The President
Experience of the Incoming Leader
Brinkman currently serves in the role of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier worked at major gaming companies in various production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had stints at other industry leaders.
Game Details and Vision
Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 together with a early access event. Initially, the developers described the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling evolution on the category."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch states. "Take on the opponents with new abilities, stakes, and tests that evolve every round. Do you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Or go big, gamble everything, and trust your squad can earn top ranking? The option is yours."
The game does not have an confirmed launch window or consoles, but players can expect additional details as creation continues.
