🔗 Share this article

2K Games has welcomed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Leadership Shift Comes After Mixed Reception

Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing unveiling last autumn.

Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer updated employees about this organizational change through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had indicated the need for a clearer vision.

The president noted that the team is now refining the project with a renewed approach, aiming to better meet player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Hires

This announcement echoes a similar step taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to work on the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the complete text from the president's communication:

Dear Team—

I know you all just wrapped up your gathering - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative creators we have had the chance to work with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to continue.”

With your dedication and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.

The community feedback from last autumn’s Project ETHOS demo was informative. It validated the appeal of a action-packed game but told us we still had refinements needed. It revealed the requirement for a clearer brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You embraced the feedback to consideration and revamped Project ETHOS with a revitalized goal - one that’s positioned to fulfill its ambition to our fans.

The belief in this project increases every day. To further the outstanding progress you’ve made, I’m excited to announce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of 31st Union. Following some time of conversations, Ben officially joins us on the specified date.

His management and expertise in the PVP shooter genre is considerable, having devoted the recent years developing and managing some of the most popular franchises in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in welcoming him next week. We are all looking forward to keep observing the evolution of the game in the time to follow.

The President

Experience of the New Leader

The appointee currently serves in the role of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Details and Concept

The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 together with a community playtest. At the time, the developers portrayed the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an innovative advancement on the style."

"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 game's pitch reads. "Take on the competition with unique powers, challenges, and tests that change every round. Will you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Alternatively aim high, gamble everything, and hope your team can achieve the highest spot? The choice is in your hands."

The game has not yet received an announced launch window or supported systems, but players can look forward to further news as creation progresses.