🔗 Share this article

2K Games has welcomed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the upcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Management Change Follows Poor Reception

Brinkman assumes the role of studio head at the development studio following the departure of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming unveiling last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had shown the necessity for a clearer direction.

The president stated that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a revised approach, aiming to address player expectations.

A Pattern of Key Recruitment

This announcement echoes a similar action taken by 2K Games in August, when they hired an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the complete message from the president's announcement:

Team—

I understand you all just completed your gathering - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most driven and innovative designers we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re eager for that partnership to persist.”

With your dedication and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.

The player input from last autumn’s the game demo was enlightening. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had work to do. It revealed the necessity for a sharper identity.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the input to heart and overhauled the title with a refreshed goal - one that’s ready to deliver on its potential to our players.

Our confidence in this project grows every day. To advance the incredible progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce the new hire as the new Director of 31st Union. After a period of discussions, Ben starts with us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s guidance and background in the PVP shooter field is considerable, having devoted the past decade and a half creating and leading some of the most well-known titles in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in receiving Ben in the coming days. We are all eager to persist observing the development of Project ETHOS in the months to ahead.

The President

Experience of the Incoming Head

The appointee currently holds the position of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier was employed at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Details and Vision

Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 together with a public demo. Then, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting step forward on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch reads. "Challenge the competition with new abilities, risks, and challenges that change every round. Will you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively go big, put it on the line, and pray your squad can secure victory? The option is in your hands."

Project Ethos lacks an official launch window or platforms, but players can anticipate more updates as development continues.