The Gaming Giant Recruits Apex Legends Producer to Boost Struggling Action Game Project Ethos

The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Management Shift Comes After Lukewarm Response

The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' disappointing early showing last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure updated staff about this strategic move through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had revealed the need for a distinct game identity.

The president noted that the developers is now reimagining the project with a renewed vision, aiming to address gamer demands.

A Pattern of Strategic Recruitment

The news follows a comparable action taken by 2K Games in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

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

Team—

I understand you all just wrapped up your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Previously I sent you all a note, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most driven and innovative developers we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re eager for that partnership to endure.”

With your dedication and flexibility, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The community feedback from last fall’s the game playtest was enlightening. It confirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the need for a clearer identity.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the input to consideration and revamped Project ETHOS with a refreshed vision - one that’s poised to achieve its potential to our players.

Our confidence in this project increases every day. To further the incredible development you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce Ben Brinkman as the new Studio Head of 31st Union. Following several months of talks, he starts with us on the specified date.

His guidance and experience in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having dedicated the last 15 years creating and managing some of the most popular series in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.

Please join me in greeting him in the coming days. We are all excited to continue seeing the evolution of the game in the weeks to ahead.

David

Experience of the New Leader

The appointee presently serves in the position of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, prior to that, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Concept

The upcoming game was unveiled in last year alongside a community playtest. At the time, 31st Union presented the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting step forward on the genre."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch reads. "Take on the opponents with new abilities, stakes, and obstacles that evolve every round. Do you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively go big, put it on the line, and trust your group can earn top ranking? The choice is up to you."

Project Ethos has not yet received an announced debut schedule or supported systems, but enthusiasts can look forward to more updates as production continues.