🔗 Share this article

The renowned publisher has welcomed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Leadership Shift Comes After Lukewarm Response

The new appointee takes on the leadership position at 31st Union following the departure of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's disappointing initial reveal last fall.

Recently, 2K president David Ismailer updated employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had indicated the need for a more defined vision.

The president stated that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a renewed vision, aiming to better meet gamer demands.

A Pattern of Key Hires

The news mirrors a comparable action taken by the publisher in August, when they hired an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise development group.

Here is the full message from the president's communication:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just wrapped up your town hall - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Previously I shared you all a message, I expressed the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative developers we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re eager for that partnership to persist.”

Given your hard work and adaptability, especially over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.

The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was informative. It validated the promise of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the need for a more distinct identity.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the criticism to heart and overhauled the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s ready to fulfill its potential to our players.

The trust in this project grows every day. To advance the outstanding development you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce the new hire as the latest Director of 31st Union. Following several months of discussions, he starts with us on the specified date.

His guidance and background in the competitive gaming genre is extensive, having spent the recent years producing and managing some of the most well-known titles in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in greeting Ben next week. We are all eager to continue witnessing the progress of Project ETHOS in the weeks to follow.

David

Experience of the Incoming Leader

The appointee currently holds the role of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He earlier worked at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Concept

The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a public demo. Initially, the developers presented the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling evolution on the category."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in real-time to match your preferred approach," the game's pitch states. "Take on the competition with new abilities, stakes, and obstacles that change every match. Do you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or go big, gamble everything, and pray your squad can secure victory? The option is in your hands."

The game has not yet received an announced release date or platforms, but enthusiasts can look forward to further news as creation progresses.