2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently developing the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Leadership Transition Comes After Lukewarm Response
Brinkman takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster initial reveal last fall.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified staff about this organizational change through an internal memo, which highlighted that playtesting had shown the need for a more defined vision.
Ismailer noted that the developers is now refining the project with a refreshed focus, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.
A Pattern of Key Acquisitions
The news follows a comparable step taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to contribute to the BioShock development group.
Below is the entire content from Ismailer's memo:
Dear Team—
I know you all just finished your meeting - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a update, I stated the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most driven and creative creators we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to continue.”
Given your hard work and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.
The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was informative. It validated the appeal of a action-packed game but indicated we still had work to do. It revealed the need for a clearer identity.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the criticism to consideration and revamped the title with a revitalized direction - one that’s poised to fulfill its promise to our fans.
Our confidence in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To boost the outstanding progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce the new hire as the incoming Director of the team. After a period of talks, he comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s leadership and background in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having devoted the recent years developing and overseeing some of the most recognizable titles in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, Apex Legends.
I invite you all in welcoming Ben soon. We are all excited to persist seeing the evolution of the game in the weeks to follow.
David
Experience of the New Leader
The appointee currently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He earlier worked at major gaming companies in various development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at other industry leaders.
Game Details and Concept
The upcoming game was unveiled in last year alongside a early access event. Initially, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling step forward 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 fit your unique tactics," the official summary explains. "Face the opponents with unique powers, stakes, and tests that shift every session. Do you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Or go big, put it on the line, and trust your group can secure victory? The decision is yours."
The game has not yet received an official launch window or platforms, but enthusiasts can expect further news as development continues.
