2K has brought Ben Brinkman aboard to lead 31st Union and steer Project Ethos, according to a memo obtained by Variety. The publisher says Brinkman will officially join the studio on Monday, October 20.
The move replaces Michael Condrey, who was fired in February after the initial community response to Project Ethos. In the memo, 2K president David Ismailer called player feedback “enlightening,” saying it confirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter while highlighting a need for a more apparent identity for the project.
“Our confidence in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the incredible progress you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome Ben Brinkman as the new Studio Head of 31st Union,” Ismailer wrote.
Brinkman spent the last several years at Respawn, serving as an executive producer on Apex Legends since 2020. Before that, he worked at Activision and Treyarch on the Call of Duty franchise starting in 2008, and his credits stretch back to the late 1990s with earlier stints at EA and 2K.
2K and 31st Union say the studio took community feedback into account and reimagined Project Ethos with a renewed vision. For readers seeking primary coverage and the memo source, Variety has published a report outlining the change and the studio’s note here.
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