2K Games announced today that it has appointed Ben Brinkman as the new head of 31st Union, its San Mateo-based development studio. Brinkman officially starts at the studio on October 20. In addition, 2K also gave an update on the studio’s in-development title, Project Ethos, a free-to-play third-person roguelike shooter.
2K announced Brinkman’s hiring in an internal memo, which it also shared with GamesBeat. In the memo, 2K president David Ismailer told staff, “Ben’s leadership and experience in the PVP shooter space is extensive, having spent the last 15 years developing and leading some of the most recognizable franchises in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.”
Regarding Project Ethos, Ismailer noted that community feedback from the game’s initial playtest showed promise, but also that the game needed more work, which the devs at 31st Union have done: “It uncovered the need for a more distinct identity… You took the feedback to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a renewed vision – one that’s poised to deliver on its promise to our players.”
31st Union began in 2019 as 2K Silicon Valley, founded by Michael Condrey. 2K Games later acquired Spanish studio Elite3D and rebranded it as a 31st Union studio. The developer first revealed Project Ethos last October, when it held a playtest. Ismailer’s note seems to indicate lukewarm reception to this initial reveal. According to a Kotaku report, Condrey has since transitioned to “focus on advising on the future of Project Ethos.”