The renowned publisher has secured a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently developing the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Management Shift Follows Poor Reception
Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's disappointing early showing last fall.
On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure updated team members about this strategic move through an internal memo, which highlighted that playtesting had revealed the need for a distinct game identity.
The president noted that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a refreshed focus, aiming to better meet gamer demands.
Trend of Strategic Acquisitions
This announcement follows a similar action taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on an industry veteran from the Diablo team to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the complete message from the president's memo:
Team—
I understand you all just completed your meeting - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Last time I shared you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented creators we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re eager for that partnership to continue.”
Through your commitment and versatility, especially over the last year, you continue to prove that.
The community feedback from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It confirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had refinements needed. It revealed the necessity for a more distinct vision.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the criticism to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a refreshed goal - one that’s positioned to fulfill its promise to our players.
The trust in this project increases every day. To further the incredible development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce the new hire as the incoming Director of the team. After a period of conversations, he officially joins us on Monday, October 20.
His management and expertise in the PVP shooter space is considerable, having spent the past decade and a half developing and managing some of the most popular series in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.
Let’s together in greeting him next week. We are all excited to keep observing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the time to follow.
David
Background of the New Leader
Brinkman presently serves in the role of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had periods at other industry leaders.
Game Information and Vision
Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 together with a early access event. At the time, the developers presented the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an exciting step forward on the style."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the official summary reads. "Challenge the opponents with fresh skills, stakes, and obstacles that change every round. Do you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively go big, put it on the line, and trust your squad can secure victory? The choice is yours."
The game has not yet received an confirmed launch window or consoles, but fans can look forward to more updates as development advances.
