2K Games has welcomed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the upcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as this innovative game.
Management Shift Follows Poor Reception
Brinkman takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster initial reveal last autumn.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified employees about this decision through an internal memo, which emphasized that playtesting had indicated the requirement for a distinct direction.
The president expressed that the developers is now overhauling the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.
Trend of Strategic Recruitment
The news mirrors a similar move taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.
Below is the full text from Ismailer's communication:
Dear Team—
I know you all just finished your gathering - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and innovative creators we have had the chance to work with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to continue.”
Given your hard work and versatility, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The community feedback from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was enlightening. It affirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the necessity for a clearer identity.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the input to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a renewed direction - one that’s positioned to achieve its promise to our audience.
The belief in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To boost the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome the new hire as the new Lead of 31st Union. Following several months of talks, Ben comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.
His guidance and experience in the PVP shooter space is extensive, having devoted the recent years producing and overseeing some of the most recognizable titles in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.
Let’s together in welcoming Ben next week. We are all looking forward to keep seeing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to come.
David
Background of the New Head
Brinkman presently serves in the role of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman previously was employed at major gaming companies in various development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, before that, had periods at other industry leaders.
Game Details and Concept
The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. Then, the developers described the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative evolution on the genre."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the official summary reads. "Face the opponents with new abilities, stakes, and challenges that shift every round. Will you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Alternatively go big, risk it all, and pray your team can achieve the highest spot? The choice is in your hands."
Project Ethos has not yet received an confirmed release date or supported systems, but fans can look forward to additional details as creation continues.
