2K Games has welcomed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Leadership Change Comes After Lukewarm Response
Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's lackluster early showing last autumn.
Recently, 2K president a key figure notified employees about this strategic move through an internal memo, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had indicated the need for a distinct direction.
The president stated that the team is now overhauling the project with a renewed focus, aiming to better meet community desires.
A Pattern of Key Recruitment
This announcement echoes a comparable move taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the complete text from the president's communication:
Dear Team—
I understand you all just finished your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Last time I shared you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented creators we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to persist.”
With your dedication and versatility, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.
The player input from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was informative. It confirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but told us we still had work to do. It uncovered the requirement for a sharper brand.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the criticism to consideration and overhauled the title with a refreshed direction - one that’s ready to fulfill its potential to our fans.
Our confidence in Project ETHOS grows every day. To boost the outstanding advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of the team. Following a period of conversations, Ben starts with us on next week.
Ben’s management and experience in the competitive gaming space is extensive, having devoted the past decade and a half producing and leading some of the most popular titles in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and lately, the battle royale hit.
Please join me in greeting him in the coming days. We are all looking forward to persist seeing the progress of Project ETHOS in the months to come.
The President
Background of the New Leader
The appointee presently serves in the role of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had periods at other industry leaders.
Game Information and Vision
The upcoming game was revealed in last year alongside a early access event. At the time, the developers portrayed the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative evolution on the style."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch states. "Challenge the opponents with new abilities, stakes, and obstacles that change every match. Do you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Or take a risk, risk it all, and trust your team can achieve the highest spot? The decision is in your hands."
Project Ethos does not have an announced debut schedule or supported systems, but fans can look forward to further news as development advances.
