2K Games has secured a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Shift Follows Mixed Reception
The new appointee steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's lackluster initial reveal last autumn.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer updated team members about this organizational change through an internal memo, which emphasized that playtesting had revealed the need for a distinct vision.
The president noted that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a revised focus, aiming to address community desires.
Trend of Strategic Hires
The news follows a similar action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to work on the BioShock development group.
Below is the complete content from the president's announcement:
Dear Team—
I know you all just finished your meeting - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and talented developers we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re excited for that relationship to endure.”
Through your commitment and flexibility, especially over the last year, you continue to prove that.
The player input from last autumn’s the game testing phase was informative. It validated the appeal of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It revealed the requirement for a sharper vision.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the feedback to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a refreshed vision - one that’s ready to fulfill its promise to our fans.
The belief in this project grows every day. To further the remarkable advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of 31st Union. After some time of conversations, Ben starts with us on next week.
His guidance and expertise in the competitive gaming space is extensive, having dedicated the recent years creating and managing some of the most recognizable series in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.
Please join me in welcoming Ben in the coming days. We are all eager to continue observing the development of Project ETHOS in the weeks to follow.
David
Background of the Incoming Leader
Brinkman currently holds the role of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.
Title Details and Concept
The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 together with a early access event. At the time, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an innovative step forward on the genre."
"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. "Face the competition with new abilities, challenges, and tests that shift every round. Will you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Alternatively take a risk, put it on the line, and hope your team can secure victory? The choice is up to you."
Project Ethos does not have an official release date or supported systems, but players can expect additional details as production advances.
