The renowned publisher has secured 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 Project Ethos.
Leadership Change Follows Lukewarm Feedback
Brinkman assumes the leadership position at 31st Union following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming unveiling last autumn.
Recently, 2K president a key figure informed staff about this organizational change through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had indicated the necessity for a distinct direction.
Ismailer stated that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to address gamer demands.
A Pattern of Strategic Hires
The news follows a comparable move taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the beloved franchise development group.
Below is the complete content from Ismailer's memo:
Dear Team—
I understand you all just completed your gathering - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative developers we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that relationship to continue.”
Given your hard work and versatility, especially over the last year, you continue to prove that.
The community feedback from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was enlightening. It confirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the need for a more distinct vision.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the feedback to consideration and revamped the title with a revitalized goal - one that’s positioned to achieve its promise to our players.
The trust in this project strengthens every day. To boost the remarkable progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome the new hire as the latest Lead of 31st Union. After a period of talks, he starts with us on the specified date.
His leadership and expertise in the competitive gaming field is extensive, having spent the last 15 years developing and leading some of the most recognizable titles in gaming, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.
Let’s together in greeting him soon. We are all looking forward to persist seeing the evolution of the game in the months to ahead.
David
Experience of the Incoming Head
Brinkman currently serves in the role of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in various development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, prior to that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Information and Vision
Project Ethos was revealed in last year in conjunction with a early access event. At the time, 31st Union described the title 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! Customize your character in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch explains. "Face the competition with unique powers, stakes, and obstacles that evolve every match. Do you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or take a risk, put it on the line, and trust your group can secure victory? The option is up to you."
Project Ethos lacks an official launch window or platforms, but enthusiasts can expect more updates as production continues.
