2K Games has welcomed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Change Comes After Lukewarm Response
The new appointee assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing unveiling last fall.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer informed team members about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had shown the requirement for a clearer game identity.
Ismailer expressed that the team is now reimagining the project with a renewed approach, aiming to satisfy community desires.
Trend of Strategic Recruitment
The news mirrors a comparable move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the full text from the president's communication:
Dear Team—
I know you all just completed your meeting - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative creators we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to continue.”
With your dedication and versatility, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The player input from last autumn’s the game demo was revealing. It affirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the necessity for a clearer brand.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the criticism to heart and overhauled Project ETHOS with a revitalized vision - one that’s poised to fulfill its potential to our audience.
The belief in this project strengthens every day. To further the incredible development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce Ben Brinkman as the latest Lead of 31st Union. After a period of discussions, Ben starts with us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s management and background in the competitive gaming genre is considerable, having spent the recent years producing and overseeing some of the most popular series in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.
Let’s together in greeting him soon. We are all eager to continue observing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the months to ahead.
The President
Background of the New Leader
The appointee presently serves in the role of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Details and Concept
Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. Then, the developers portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting 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 official summary states. "Challenge the competition with new abilities, risks, and tests that evolve every session. Do you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Or take a risk, risk it all, and hope your team can secure victory? The decision is up to you."
The game has not yet received an confirmed launch window or supported systems, but players can expect additional details as production progresses.
