The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the forthcoming third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.
Leadership Transition Comes After Mixed Feedback
Brinkman assumes the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's underwhelming unveiling last fall.
Recently, 2K president David Ismailer notified staff about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had indicated the necessity for a clearer vision.
Ismailer stated that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a refreshed vision, aiming to better meet player expectations.
Trend of Key Hires
This announcement mirrors a similar step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the beloved franchise development group.
Here is the full message from the president's announcement:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just finished your town hall - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Last time I shared you all a note, 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 partner with - and we’re excited for that relationship to endure.”
Through your commitment and adaptability, especially over the last year, you continue to prove that.
The player input from last fall’s the game testing phase was enlightening. It validated the potential of a action-packed game but indicated we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the need for a sharper brand.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the input to consideration and revamped Project ETHOS with a refreshed direction - one that’s positioned to achieve its ambition to our fans.
The belief in this project increases every day. To further the remarkable advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome the new hire as the incoming Lead of 31st Union. Following some time of talks, Ben officially joins us on next week.
His management and experience in the PVP shooter space is vast, having dedicated the last 15 years producing and managing some of the most well-known titles in the industry, such as the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, Apex Legends.
Please join me in greeting him next week. We are all excited to continue observing the evolution of the game in the months to come.
David
Experience of the Incoming Head
The appointee presently holds the position of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He earlier worked at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had assignments at other industry leaders.
Title Details and Vision
The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 together with a community playtest. Then, 31st Union presented the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative step forward on the genre."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the description explains. "Take on the competition with fresh skills, stakes, and tests that change every match. Do you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Alternatively take a risk, put it on the line, and trust your group can secure victory? The option is up to you."
The game does not have an confirmed release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can anticipate more updates as creation progresses.
