2K Games has welcomed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Leadership Transition Follows Lukewarm Feedback
The new appointee assumes the role of studio head at 31st Union following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster unveiling last fall.
On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer updated team members about this strategic move through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had revealed the necessity for a distinct game identity.
The president stated that the developers is now refining the project with a revised focus, aiming to better meet player expectations.
A Pattern of Strategic Hires
This announcement echoes a similar action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on an industry veteran from the Diablo team to contribute to the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the full text from Ismailer's announcement:
Team—
I know you all just wrapped up your gathering - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Previously I sent you all a message, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative creators we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that partnership to persist.”
Through your commitment and versatility, especially over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.
The player input from last fall’s the game testing phase was informative. It confirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had improvements to make. It revealed the need for a clearer vision.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the input to heart and revamped Project ETHOS with a renewed goal - one that’s poised to fulfill its ambition to our fans.
The trust in this project increases every day. To advance the incredible development you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome Ben Brinkman as the new Lead of 31st Union. After several months of conversations, he officially joins us on the specified date.
Ben’s management and experience in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having dedicated the recent years developing and managing some of the most popular series in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, the battle royale hit.
Please join me in receiving him soon. We are all excited to continue seeing the development of the game in the weeks to ahead.
David
Background of the Incoming Head
Brinkman presently holds the position of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had assignments at other industry leaders.
Title Details and Concept
Project Ethos was announced in last year alongside a public demo. Then, the developers presented the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative advancement on the style."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary reads. "Challenge the rivals with unique powers, challenges, and obstacles that shift every match. Do you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or take a risk, put it on the line, and pray your team can secure victory? The decision is in your hands."
The game does not have an confirmed launch window or consoles, but fans can expect more updates as creation continues.
