The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.
Management Change Follows Mixed Feedback
The new appointee takes on 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 the game's lackluster unveiling last autumn.
On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which highlighted that playtesting had indicated the need for a clearer game identity.
The president stated that the team is now refining the project with a revised focus, aiming to address community desires.
A Pattern of Key Hires
This announcement follows a comparable action taken by 2K Games in August, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the full text from Ismailer's announcement:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just wrapped up your meeting - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and talented developers we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that relationship to continue.”
With your dedication and adaptability, particularly over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS playtest was informative. It affirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had work to do. It uncovered the necessity for a clearer brand.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the criticism to consideration and revamped Project ETHOS with a refreshed vision - one that’s poised to fulfill its promise to our fans.
The trust in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To boost the incredible development you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce the new hire as the new Studio Head of the team. Following several months of conversations, Ben starts with us on Monday, October 20.
His leadership and background in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having spent the recent years creating and leading some of the most well-known titles in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.
I invite you all in receiving him next week. We are all excited to continue witnessing the progress of the game in the weeks to follow.
David
Background of the Incoming Head
The appointee currently serves in the position of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously worked at major gaming companies in various development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.
Game Details and Vision
Project Ethos was announced in last year together with a early access event. At the time, 31st Union presented the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling step forward on the genre."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the official summary explains. "Face the competition with unique powers, stakes, and challenges that change every match. Will you leave securely with your collected items? Or go big, gamble everything, and trust your team can achieve the highest spot? The choice is in your hands."
The game has not yet received an official release date or platforms, but players can look forward to more updates as development advances.
