2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.
Leadership Shift Follows Lukewarm Feedback
Brinkman steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming initial reveal last autumn.
Recently, 2K president a key figure informed employees about this strategic move through an internal memo, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had shown the requirement for a distinct game identity.
Ismailer expressed that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to better meet gamer demands.
Trend of Key Acquisitions
The news follows a similar action taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the complete content from the president's memo:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just wrapped up your gathering - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative creators we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to continue.”
Through your commitment and flexibility, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The player input from last fall’s the game demo was revealing. It validated the appeal of a action-packed game but made clear we still had work to do. It uncovered the requirement for a sharper vision.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the criticism to consideration and revamped Project ETHOS with a revitalized goal - one that’s poised to deliver on its promise to our audience.
The belief in Project ETHOS grows every day. To advance the outstanding advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce Ben Brinkman as the new Lead of 31st Union. After a period of conversations, Ben officially joins us on next week.
His guidance and background in the competitive gaming space is extensive, having spent the past decade and a half developing and managing some of the most recognizable titles in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, Apex Legends.
Let’s together in welcoming Ben in the coming days. We are all excited to persist observing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the time to come.
David
Experience of the New Leader
Brinkman presently serves in the role of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman previously worked at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Details and Concept
Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. At the time, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting step forward 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 description explains. "Face the opponents with new abilities, stakes, and obstacles that shift every round. Do you safely extract with your collected items? Or take a risk, gamble everything, and trust your team can achieve the highest spot? The decision is yours."
The game lacks an confirmed debut schedule or platforms, but fans can expect more updates as creation progresses.
