The renowned publisher has welcomed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently developing the forthcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as this innovative game.
Management Shift Comes After Poor Response
Brinkman steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster unveiling last fall.
On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer notified employees about this decision through an internal memo, which highlighted that playtesting had revealed the requirement for a clearer direction.
The president expressed that the team is now refining the project with a revised approach, aiming to better meet player expectations.
Trend of Strategic Recruitment
The news echoes a comparable step taken by the publisher in August, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to contribute to the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the complete message from the president's communication:
Dear Team—
I understand you all just wrapped up your town hall - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a message, I expressed the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most driven and creative designers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re excited for that partnership to continue.”
Through your commitment and flexibility, especially over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.
The gamer responses from last fall’s the game demo was enlightening. It affirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but indicated we still had work to do. It highlighted the requirement for a more distinct brand.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the criticism to mind and revamped Project ETHOS with a renewed goal - one that’s positioned to achieve its promise to our fans.
The trust in this project strengthens every day. To advance the incredible advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome the new hire as the latest Lead of 31st Union. Following a period of discussions, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s guidance and experience in the competitive gaming genre is extensive, having dedicated the recent years creating and leading some of the most recognizable series in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.
Please join me in greeting him in the coming days. We are all excited to keep observing the progress of the game in the weeks to come.
The President
Experience of the Incoming Leader
Brinkman presently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He previously worked at major gaming companies in various development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Details and Concept
The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 alongside a early access event. Then, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative advancement on the category."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary explains. "Take on the opponents with new abilities, stakes, and challenges that evolve every match. Do you leave securely with your collected items? Alternatively aim high, put it on the line, and hope your squad can achieve the highest spot? The option is in your hands."
The game lacks an confirmed debut schedule or consoles, but players can look forward to additional details as creation progresses.
