2K Games has welcomed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the exit of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming initial reveal last fall.
On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified team members about this organizational change through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had revealed the need for a distinct direction.
The president noted that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a refreshed focus, aiming to better meet player expectations.
This announcement echoes a similar move taken by 2K Games in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the entire content from the president's communication:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just finished your gathering - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a note, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative developers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re excited for that relationship to persist.”
Given your hard work and versatility, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.
The gamer responses from last autumn’s the game playtest was enlightening. It affirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the necessity for a more distinct brand.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the feedback to heart and revamped Project ETHOS with a renewed goal - one that’s poised to fulfill its potential to our players.
The belief in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the remarkable advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce the new hire as the incoming Director of the team. Following a period of conversations, he comes aboard us on next week.
Ben’s leadership and expertise in the PVP shooter space is extensive, having devoted the past decade and a half developing and overseeing some of the most recognizable titles in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.
Let’s together in receiving him soon. We are all eager to continue observing the evolution of the game in the time to come.
The President
Brinkman currently serves in the role of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously worked at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.
The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 together with a early access event. Then, 31st Union described the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an exciting step forward on the style."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the game's pitch reads. "Face the competition with fresh skills, stakes, and tests that shift every match. Do you leave securely with your collected items? Or aim high, put it on the line, and trust your squad can achieve the highest spot? The decision is up to you."
The game does not have an official debut schedule or supported systems, but fans can anticipate more updates as production advances.
