2K Games has welcomed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the forthcoming third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.
Management Change Follows Mixed Reception
Brinkman steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's lackluster unveiling last autumn.
On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer informed staff about this decision through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had shown the need for a clearer game identity.
Ismailer noted that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a revised approach, aiming to address gamer demands.
Trend of Key Recruitment
This announcement echoes a similar action taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.
Here is the entire message from the president's communication:
Dear Team—
I know you all just finished your meeting - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a update, 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 collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to endure.”
With your dedication and versatility, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.
The community feedback from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was enlightening. It confirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the need for a more distinct identity.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the criticism to heart and reimagined the title with a revitalized direction - one that’s poised to deliver on its potential to our players.
The trust in this project strengthens every day. To further the outstanding progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce Ben Brinkman as the new Lead of 31st Union. After some time of conversations, Ben officially joins us on the specified date.
Ben’s guidance and experience in the PVP shooter field is extensive, having dedicated the recent years creating and leading some of the most recognizable titles in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.
I invite you all in welcoming him soon. We are all eager to continue witnessing the evolution of the game in the weeks to ahead.
The President
Experience of the New Head
Brinkman currently serves in the position of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Information and Vision
Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 alongside a public demo. Initially, 31st Union described the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an innovative evolution on the category."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch explains. "Face the rivals with unique powers, stakes, and tests that change every round. Will you safely extract with your collected items? Or aim high, risk it all, and hope your team can achieve the highest spot? The option is yours."
The game lacks an official release date or platforms, but fans can expect more updates as production continues.
