31st Union
31st Union business and news from across the web.
Report: WWE 2K26 dev Visual Concepts is laying off staffWWE 2K26 developer Visual Concepts is reportedly laying off staff, with at least seven employees posting about their departures on LinkedIn. This marks the third round of job cuts at the studio in three years, following similar incidents in September 2023 and August 2024. Layoffs have also affected other 2K subsidiaries, including Cat Daddy Games, Firaxis Games, and 31st Union, in recent months.
Project ETHOS Faces Layoffs as 31st Union Head Says “Changes Need To Be Made”31st Union, the developer of Project ETHOS, has conducted layoffs, with studio head Ben Brinkman citing the need for the team to work more quickly and nimbly. Publisher 2K confirmed the news, which follows a period of silence since the game's reveal in October 2024. The studio described Project ETHOS as a skill-based PVP roguelike experience.- MMO Business Roundup: 2K’s layoffs, Indiana’s Roblox lawsuit, CCP’s rename, and the Tarkov effectThis MMO business roundup covers several industry developments, including layoffs at 2K Games' 31st Union studio working on Project Ethos. Indiana is suing Roblox and Discord over child safety concerns, while Escape from Tarkov's popularity is cited as a driver for the extraction shooter genre. CCP Games rebranded to Fenris Creations to avoid conflict with China, and Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick stated Grand Theft Auto VI is being developed without crunch.
2K Games confirms layoffs at Project Ethos shooter studio and hints at new design direction: 'It's become…2K Games studio 31st Union has confirmed layoffs as it shifts the direction of its free-to-play hero shooter Project Ethos towards a skill-based PVP roguelike experience. Studio head Ben Brinkman expressed confidence in the new vision despite the team changes. This follows previous reports of trouble with the project, including the departure of its original studio head.
2K Lays Off Staff at Project Ethos Dev 31st Union2K has laid off employees at its studio 31st Union, which is developing the free-to-play roguelike shooter Project Ethos. Studio head Ben Brinkman stated the cuts are necessary to align with the game's development, despite expressing confidence in its future. The exact number of employees affected and the game's current development stage remain unclear amidst concerns about the viability of live-service titles.
2K makes layoffs at Project Ethos developer 31st Union2K-owned studio 31st Union, developer of the free-to-play shooter Project Ethos, has undergone layoffs. Studio head Ben Brinkman stated the downsizing is necessary for a renewed direction and to work more quickly. This follows a previous round of layoffs in January 2024 and the reported firing of former studio head Michael Condrey.
2K lay off staff at Project Ethos while touting "a renewed direction and vision" for their by-the-numbers hero shooter2K Games is laying off staff at developer 31st Union as they rebrand their free-to-play multiplayer game Project Ethos. The title, previously a 'roguelike hero shooter,' is now described as a 'skill-based PvP roguelike experience.' Studio head Ben Brinkman cited a need for the team to work more quickly and nimbly, despite assurances of continued investment from Take-Two and 2K leadership.
GamesStop wants eBay, Nintendo confirms Switch 2 price hike, and union boss says EA buyout is a national security risk - Patch Notes #51This week's gaming news roundup covers GameStop's $55.5 billion takeover bid for eBay, Nintendo's confirmation of price hikes for the Nintendo Switch 2, and concerns raised by a union boss regarding the potential Saudi Arabian buyout of Electronic Arts, citing national security risks. The article also touches on internal leadership changes at Xbox, layoffs at 2K, and the rebranding of CCP Games.- 2K lays off staff at 31st Union, studio behind Project Ethos2K has laid off staff from its 31st Union studio, which was developing the live-service hero shooter Project Ethos. Studio head Ben Brinkman cited the need to work more quickly and nimbly as the reason for scaling back the team. This follows earlier layoffs and a change in leadership at the studio, with Project Ethos reportedly undergoing a visual and directional overhaul.
2K lays off staff working on free-to-play shooter Project Ethos, while hinting at "new direction and focus"2K has laid off staff at its studio 31st Union, which was developing the free-to-play shooter Project Ethos. Studio head Ben Brinkman stated the team was scaled back to align with the game's development stage and a renewed direction towards a skill-based PVP roguelike experience. Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick previously championed the title as part of a strong upcoming lineup.
Project Ethos, The New 2K Shooter, Undergoes Changes As Dev Lays Off Staff2K's 31st Union studio is undergoing significant changes for its third-person shooter Project Ethos, shifting its direction to a skill-based PvP roguelike and laying off staff. Studio head Ben Brinkman confirmed the renewed direction, aiming to make the game more nimble and aligned with development goals. This pivot follows a previous report in February 2025 suggesting the game needed to change or face cancellation.