The renowned publisher has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to lead the development team at their internal studio, which is currently developing the anticipated over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Management Transition Follows Poor Feedback
The new appointee steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's underwhelming initial reveal last fall.
On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure updated staff about this organizational change through an internal memo, which highlighted that playtesting had indicated the necessity for a more defined game identity.
Ismailer stated that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a revised focus, aiming to better meet player expectations.
A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions
The news mirrors a comparable step taken by 2K Games in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to work on the BioShock development group.
Below is the complete text from Ismailer's memo:
Hello Everyone—
I know you all just finished your town hall - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the positive developments. Previously I sent you all a note, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most driven and creative creators we have had the chance to work with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to endure.”
Through your commitment and adaptability, especially over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.
The community feedback from last autumn’s the game demo was revealing. It confirmed the potential of a action-packed game but indicated we still had improvements to make. It revealed the need for a clearer vision.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the criticism to heart and revamped the title with a renewed direction - one that’s positioned to deliver on its potential to our fans.
The trust in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To further the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce the new hire as the latest Studio Head of 31st Union. After some time of discussions, he officially joins us on next week.
Ben’s leadership and expertise in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having spent the recent years developing and leading some of the most recognizable series in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.
I invite you all in greeting Ben soon. We are all looking forward to keep observing the development of the game in the months to come.
The President
Background of the Incoming Head
Brinkman presently serves in the role of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously worked at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Information and Vision
The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. At the time, 31st Union presented the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative 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 match your preferred approach," the game's pitch states. "Challenge the opponents with unique powers, challenges, and obstacles that evolve every round. Do you leave securely with your collected items? Or go big, gamble everything, and trust your squad can achieve the highest spot? The choice is yours."
Project Ethos does not have an official release date or supported systems, but players can anticipate further news as creation progresses.
