2K Games has welcomed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently developing the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Management Transition Comes After Lukewarm Response
The new appointee assumes 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' disappointing unveiling last fall.
On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure updated staff about this decision through an internal memo, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had revealed the requirement for a distinct direction.
The president stated that the developers is now refining the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to address gamer demands.
Trend of Strategic Hires
The news mirrors a similar step taken by the publisher in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the BioShock development group.
Below is the complete message from Ismailer's announcement:
Dear Team—
I understand you all just completed your town hall - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented developers we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that relationship to endure.”
With your dedication and versatility, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The gamer responses from last autumn’s the game testing phase was revealing. It affirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had improvements to make. It revealed the necessity for a clearer brand.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You embraced the input to mind and reimagined the title with a refreshed goal - one that’s poised to deliver on its ambition to our players.
The belief in this project increases every day. To further the remarkable development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Director of 31st Union. Following a period of talks, he officially joins us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s management and expertise in the competitive gaming space is considerable, having devoted the past decade and a half producing and managing some of the most well-known franchises in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, Apex Legends.
Please join me in welcoming Ben next week. We are all eager to persist observing the evolution of the game in the weeks to come.
The President
Experience of the Incoming Leader
Brinkman currently serves in the position of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had stints at other industry leaders.
Title Details and Concept
The upcoming game was announced in last year in conjunction with a public demo. Then, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an exciting step forward on the style."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch explains. "Take on the competition with new abilities, challenges, and tests that shift every session. Will you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Alternatively take a risk, gamble everything, and pray your squad can earn top ranking? The option is yours."
The game has not yet received an announced release date or platforms, but players can look forward to more updates as production advances.
