The renowned publisher has welcomed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the development team at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Leadership Change Follows Mixed Response
The new appointee assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' disappointing initial reveal last autumn.
On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer notified staff about this organizational change through an internal memo, which highlighted that playtesting had revealed the need for a clearer vision.
The president stated that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a refreshed vision, aiming to address player expectations.
Trend of Strategic Acquisitions
The news mirrors a comparable action taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they brought on an industry veteran from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.
Here is the complete content from the president's announcement:
Dear Team—
I understand you all just finished your meeting - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Previously I sent you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most driven and talented creators we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to persist.”
Given your hard work and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.
The player input from last autumn’s the game playtest was revealing. It validated the promise of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the need for a more distinct brand.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You embraced the feedback to mind and reimagined the title with a refreshed goal - one that’s positioned to fulfill its promise to our audience.
The trust in this project grows every day. To further the outstanding progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce Ben Brinkman as the new Lead of 31st Union. Following several months of discussions, Ben starts with us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s guidance and experience in the PVP shooter space is extensive, having dedicated the past decade and a half developing and managing some of the most popular titles in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.
Please join me in greeting him next week. We are all excited to continue seeing the development of the game in the months to come.
David
Background of the Incoming Leader
The appointee currently holds the role of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had assignments at other industry leaders.
Title Information and Concept
Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. At the time, the developers presented the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting step forward on the style."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch reads. "Challenge the opponents with unique powers, risks, and obstacles that shift every session. Do you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Alternatively aim high, put it on the line, and trust your squad can earn top ranking? The option is yours."
Project Ethos does not have an announced release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can expect additional details as production progresses.
