The Gaming Giant Brings Onboard Popular Battle Royale Lead to Rescue Troubled Action Game Project Ethos

The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Comes After Lukewarm Response

The new appointee steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster initial reveal last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified employees about this strategic move through an internal memo, which emphasized that playtesting had shown the need for a more defined vision.

Ismailer noted that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to address gamer demands.

Trend of Strategic Hires

The news mirrors 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.

Here is the entire text from Ismailer's announcement:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just finished your gathering - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a message, I stated the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and innovative designers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to persist.”

Through your commitment and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.

The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It confirmed the promise of a action-packed game but told us we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the necessity for a more distinct vision.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the criticism to consideration and reimagined the title with a revitalized vision - one that’s ready to achieve its promise to our fans.

The trust in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the incredible progress you’ve made, I’m excited to announce Ben Brinkman as the new Director of 31st Union. Following some time of conversations, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20.

His leadership and background in the competitive gaming genre is vast, having spent the past decade and a half producing and overseeing some of the most well-known series in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in welcoming him in the coming days. We are all excited to persist seeing the progress of Project ETHOS in the weeks to come.

David

Background of the Incoming Head

The appointee currently holds the position of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in various development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, earlier in his career, had periods at other industry leaders.

Title Information and Concept

The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. Then, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an innovative evolution 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 match your preferred approach," the description states. "Challenge the rivals with fresh skills, risks, and tests that evolve every match. Will you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively take a risk, gamble everything, and pray your team can earn top ranking? The choice is in your hands."

Project Ethos has not yet received an confirmed launch window or supported systems, but enthusiasts can look forward to further news as production continues.