The renowned publisher has welcomed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.
Leadership Change Follows Lukewarm Feedback
The new appointee steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's lackluster unveiling last autumn.
On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer updated staff about this strategic move through an internal memo, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had indicated the need for a more defined direction.
Ismailer noted that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a renewed approach, aiming to satisfy player expectations.
Trend of Strategic Acquisitions
This announcement echoes a comparable move taken by 2K Games in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.
Here is the entire content from the president's memo:
Dear Team—
I know you all just completed your town hall - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Last time I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and creative designers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that relationship to persist.”
With your dedication and flexibility, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.
The community feedback from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It validated the potential of a action-packed game but made clear we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the necessity for a sharper identity.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the feedback to consideration and revamped Project ETHOS with a revitalized goal - one that’s ready to fulfill its potential to our audience.
The belief in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the outstanding development you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome the new hire as the latest Lead of 31st Union. Following a period of conversations, Ben starts with us on Monday, October 20.
His management and background in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having spent the past decade and a half creating and managing some of the most recognizable titles in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, the battle royale hit.
Let’s together in welcoming Ben next week. We are all excited to keep seeing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to come.
The President
Experience of the New Head
The appointee presently serves in the position of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman previously was employed at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, prior to that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Details and Vision
Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 together with a community playtest. At the time, 31st Union described the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting 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 match your preferred approach," the official summary states. "Challenge the opponents with unique powers, risks, and obstacles that change every session. Do you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Or go big, put it on the line, and trust your team can achieve the highest spot? The choice is up to you."
Project Ethos lacks an confirmed launch window or platforms, but players can look forward to more updates as creation continues.
