2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Leadership Shift Follows Lukewarm Reception
The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal 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 informed team members about this decision through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had revealed the necessity for a distinct direction.
Ismailer noted that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a revised focus, aiming to satisfy community desires.
Trend of Key Hires
This announcement follows a comparable step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the full text from the president's memo:
Dear Team—
I know you all just finished your gathering - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative developers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that partnership to endure.”
Through your commitment and versatility, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was enlightening. It affirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but made clear we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the need for a sharper brand.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the input to consideration and overhauled Project ETHOS with a refreshed vision - one that’s ready to fulfill its ambition to our players.
Our confidence in Project ETHOS increases every day. To further the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Lead of 31st Union. Following some time of conversations, Ben comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s leadership and experience in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having devoted the past decade and a half producing and overseeing some of the most recognizable franchises in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.
Let’s together in receiving Ben soon. We are all eager to continue observing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the months to come.
The President
Experience of the New Leader
The appointee presently holds the role of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Details and Vision
The upcoming game was revealed in last year in conjunction with a public demo. Initially, 31st Union presented the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting evolution on the genre."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the description states. "Take on the competition with unique powers, challenges, and challenges that change every session. Do you leave securely with your collected items? Or aim high, risk it all, and hope your group can earn top ranking? The choice is up to you."
The game lacks an confirmed debut schedule or supported systems, but enthusiasts can expect further news as creation progresses.
