The renowned publisher has secured a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently developing the forthcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Management Shift Comes After Lukewarm Reception
Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' disappointing unveiling last autumn.
Recently, 2K president David Ismailer updated team members about this organizational change through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had indicated the need for a distinct game identity.
Ismailer stated that the developers is now refining the project with a refreshed focus, aiming to address player expectations.
Trend of Strategic Hires
The news echoes a similar step taken by the publisher in August, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the entire content from the president's communication:
Dear Team—
I know you all just completed your meeting - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most driven and creative designers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re looking forward for that relationship to continue.”
Through your commitment and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.
The gamer responses from last fall’s the game demo was enlightening. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It revealed the need for a more distinct brand.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the criticism to consideration and revamped the title with a renewed goal - one that’s positioned to fulfill its potential to our players.
Our confidence in this project grows every day. To advance the remarkable development you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce Ben Brinkman as the latest Lead of the team. Following several months of talks, Ben officially joins us on next week.
Ben’s management and background in the PVP shooter space is vast, having dedicated the recent years developing and leading some of the most popular series in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.
Let’s together in receiving Ben in the coming days. We are all looking forward to persist observing the evolution of the game in the months to follow.
The President
Background of the Incoming Head
The appointee presently holds the role of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, prior to that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Information and Vision
The upcoming game was announced in last year in conjunction with a public demo. At the time, the developers described the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling step forward on the style."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the description explains. "Face the rivals with unique powers, challenges, and obstacles that evolve every round. Will you safely extract with your collected items? Alternatively go big, gamble everything, and hope your squad can earn top ranking? The decision is in your hands."
The game lacks an confirmed debut schedule or consoles, but enthusiasts can look forward to further news as production continues.
