2K appoints Ben Brinkman to lead 31st Union as Project Ethos is reworked
2K Games has recruited Apex Legends producer Ben Brinkman from Respawn to take the helm at 31st Union, the studio developing 2K’s forthcoming third‑person roguelike extraction shooter, Project Ethos.
Brinkman succeeds former studio head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly dismissed amid criticism of Project Ethos following its initial playtest. Reports indicated the leadership change came as the publisher reassessed the project after mixed community feedback.
In a message to staff shared with media, 2K president David Ismailer said the playtest highlighted the need for a clearer, more distinctive identity for the game and that the team is reimagining Project Ethos with a refreshed vision. The publisher also pointed to recent hiring moves—such as bringing Diablo producer Rod Fergusson to Cloud Chamber in August—as part of broader leadership investments across its studios.
The announcement included a company memo emphasizing the studio’s resilience and the decision to welcome Brinkman. Excerpts are presented below in summary form.
David opened by thanking the team for their dedication and noted that last fall’s playtest confirmed the roguelike shooter concept while making clear there’s work left to do to sharpen the game’s identity. He praised the team for taking feedback on board and redesigning elements of the project with renewed purpose.
To build on that progress, 2K is appointing Ben Brinkman as Studio Head of 31st Union; after several months of discussions he will join the studio on Monday, October 20. David highlighted Ben’s extensive leadership in PVP shooters over the past 15 years—spanning roles on Call of Duty: Black Ops and most recently on Apex Legends—and asked staff to welcome him as the studio continues to evolve Project Ethos.
– David
Brinkman most recently served as executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment on Apex Legends. His background includes production roles at Treyarch and Activision on the Call of Duty series, and earlier positions at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Project Ethos was unveiled in October 2024 with a community playtest. At launch the studio described the title as a free‑to‑play, third‑person roguelike hero shooter that blends persistent progression with high‑stakes extraction mechanics. According to the game’s official page, players will assemble and evolve their heroes during runs, face shifting challenges and choices around extracting with loot versus risking everything for greater rewards. More on the game is available on the publisher’s site.
Project Ethos has no announced release date or platforms at this time. An early gameplay preview is embedded below.
Source: Polygon
