2K Games has welcomed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Management Change Comes After Mixed Response
The new appointee takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing early showing last autumn.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure updated team members about this organizational change through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had indicated the requirement for a clearer direction.
The president expressed that the developers is now overhauling the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to satisfy community desires.
A Pattern of Key Recruitment
This announcement follows a similar action taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to work on the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the full text from the president's announcement:
Team—
I know you all just completed your meeting - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Last time I shared you all a message, I expressed the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most driven and creative creators we have had the chance to work with - and we’re eager for that partnership to endure.”
Through your commitment and adaptability, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The player input from last fall’s the game testing phase was revealing. It validated the potential of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the necessity for a more distinct vision.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the feedback to mind and overhauled Project ETHOS with a renewed vision - one that’s positioned to achieve its promise to our fans.
Our confidence in this project increases every day. To advance the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome Ben Brinkman as the incoming Director of the team. Following several months of conversations, Ben comes aboard us on the specified date.
His leadership and background in the PVP shooter space is vast, having dedicated the past decade and a half producing and overseeing some of the most well-known series in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, Apex Legends.
Please join me in welcoming him next week. We are all eager to keep observing the development of Project ETHOS in the months to ahead.
David
Experience of the Incoming Leader
Brinkman currently serves in the position of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in various development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, earlier in his career, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Information and Concept
Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. At the time, the developers portrayed the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting step forward on the style."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the game's pitch states. "Face the opponents with new abilities, risks, and challenges that shift every match. Do you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Or take a risk, risk it all, and trust your group can secure victory? The decision is yours."
Project Ethos lacks an announced release date or platforms, but players can anticipate further news as creation continues.
