🔗 Share this article

2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift Follows Lukewarm Reception

The new appointee steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's disappointing unveiling last fall.

Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer updated employees about this strategic move through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had indicated the need for a more defined game identity.

Ismailer expressed that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a refreshed focus, aiming to better meet community desires.

A Pattern of Strategic Hires

This announcement mirrors a similar action taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the BioShock development group.

Here is the full text from the president's memo:

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just finished your town hall - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented designers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re eager for that relationship to endure.”

Given your hard work and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The community feedback from last autumn’s Project ETHOS demo was informative. It validated the promise of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had work to do. It revealed the requirement for a sharper brand.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the input to mind and overhauled the title with a revitalized direction - one that’s ready to fulfill its potential to our fans.

The trust in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To advance the incredible advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of the team. After some time of conversations, he officially joins us on the specified date.

Ben’s management and expertise in the PVP shooter field is vast, having spent the recent years developing and managing some of the most recognizable franchises in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in receiving Ben soon. We are all excited to continue witnessing the evolution of the game in the weeks to come.

David

Background of the Incoming Leader

The appointee currently serves in the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously was employed at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Details and Vision

The upcoming game was announced in last year together with a early access event. Initially, 31st Union described the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an exciting advancement on the style."

"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 description explains. "Take on the opponents with new abilities, risks, and challenges that change every match. Will you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Or take a risk, put it on the line, and hope your squad can earn top ranking? The decision is yours."

The game has not yet received an announced debut schedule or supported systems, but enthusiasts can look forward to more updates as production advances.