The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.
Leadership Transition Comes After Poor Feedback
The new appointee takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming unveiling last fall.
On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified employees about this decision through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had shown the need for a clearer vision.
Ismailer stated that the developers is now overhauling the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to satisfy community desires.
A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions
The news mirrors a comparable move taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the entire text from Ismailer's announcement:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just completed your town hall - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative creators we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re excited for that partnership to continue.”
Given your hard work and versatility, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.
The player input from last fall’s the game playtest was informative. It validated the appeal of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the requirement for a more distinct brand.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the input to consideration and overhauled the title with a refreshed direction - one that’s ready to achieve its potential to our audience.
The trust in Project ETHOS increases every day. To advance the incredible advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of 31st Union. After several months of discussions, he comes aboard us on next week.
His leadership and experience in the competitive gaming field is extensive, having dedicated the past decade and a half developing and leading some of the most recognizable series in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.
I invite you all in welcoming him in the coming days. We are all looking forward to keep witnessing the development of the game in the months to come.
The President
Experience of the Incoming Head
Brinkman currently holds the position of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Details and Concept
Project Ethos was announced in last year alongside a community playtest. At the time, 31st Union presented the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative evolution on the category."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary reads. "Challenge the opponents with fresh skills, risks, and obstacles that shift every session. Do you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Alternatively go big, gamble everything, and pray your group can earn top ranking? The decision is in your hands."
Project Ethos does not have an confirmed launch window or consoles, but players can look forward to further news as production advances.
