2K Appoints Ben Brinkman as New Head of 31st Union, Project Ethos Development Continues with “Renewed Vision”

2K has officially appointed Ben Brinkman as the new studio head of 31st Union, with his leadership beginning on October 20, 2025. The move comes as the studio continues work on its ambitious third-person roguelike shooter, currently known as Project Ethos.

Project Ethos, a hero shooter by 31st Union.

According to a memo shared with staff and reported by Variety, 2K president David Ismailer welcomed Brinkman to the role "after several months of conversations."

Brinkman brings with him a wealth of experience in the competitive shooter space. Most recently, he served as head of production on Apex Legends at Respawn Entertainment. His career also includes time at Activision, Treyarch, and EA Canada, as well as an earlier stint at 2K between 2006 and 2008.

Ismailer highlighted this background, noting that "Brinkman has 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."

Brinkman replaces Michael Condrey, the former studio president who departed earlier this year following reported concerns about the progress of Project Ethos. At the time, 2K stated that Condrey would transition into an advisory role to support the game’s future.

Alongside the leadership change, Ismailer also provided an update on Project Ethos. He acknowledged that last year’s community playtest delivered valuable lessons. “The community feedback from last fall’s Project Ethos playtest was enlightening. It affirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had work to do. It uncovered the need for a more distinct identity,” Ismailer explained.

He added that the team has since reimagined the project with a “renewed vision” and that confidence in the title “grows every day.”

For those unfamiliar, Project Ethos is described as a third-person action hero shooter. The game focuses on run-based gameplay where each match offers randomized upgrades and evolving playstyles. Players can:

• Build their hero in real-time with semi-randomized “Evolutions.”

• Shift roles mid-match, such as turning a sniper into a close-range fighter.

• Compete in “Trials,” persistent extraction-style runs where loot and augments carry forward.

The project has been in development for several years at 31st Union, and while no release date has been announced, 2K has reaffirmed its commitment to seeing it through. The game still carries its working title, meaning the final name could change before launch.