🔗 Share this article

2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the forthcoming third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Management Change Comes After Poor Response

Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster unveiling last fall.

Recently, 2K president David Ismailer informed team members about this organizational change through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had revealed the necessity for a distinct vision.

The president noted that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a renewed vision, aiming to better meet player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Hires

The news mirrors a comparable step taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to contribute to the BioShock development group.

Below is the entire text from the president's memo:

Team—

I know you all just wrapped up your town hall - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a update, I expressed the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and creative creators we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to endure.”

Through your commitment and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.

The community feedback from last fall’s the game testing phase was enlightening. It validated the appeal of a action-packed game but made clear we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the requirement for a sharper vision.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the criticism to heart and revamped Project ETHOS with a refreshed vision - one that’s positioned to fulfill its promise to our fans.

The trust in Project ETHOS increases every day. To advance the outstanding development you’ve made, I’m excited to announce the new hire as the latest Lead of the team. After a period of conversations, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s guidance and background in the competitive gaming space is considerable, having devoted the recent years developing and managing some of the most recognizable titles in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in greeting him in the coming days. We are all looking forward to persist seeing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to follow.

David

Experience of the Incoming Leader

Brinkman currently serves in the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, before that, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Title Details and Vision

Project Ethos was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a public demo. Then, 31st Union described the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting advancement on the category."

"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 description states. "Face the opponents with unique powers, challenges, and challenges that change every session. Do you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Alternatively go big, put it on the line, and hope your squad can earn top ranking? The decision is yours."

The game has not yet received an official release date or supported systems, but players can expect further news as creation continues.