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The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Leadership Change Comes After Mixed Response

The new appointee steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster unveiling last fall.

Recently, 2K president David Ismailer updated team members about this organizational change through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had revealed the requirement for a clearer vision.

The president noted that the developers is now refining the project with a revised approach, aiming to address player expectations.

A Pattern of Key Recruitment

This announcement follows a comparable step taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the entire content from Ismailer's announcement:

Team—

I know you all just completed your meeting - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a update, I expressed the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented developers we have had the pleasure to work with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to endure.”

With your dedication and flexibility, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was informative. It confirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but made clear we still had refinements needed. It revealed the necessity for a more distinct identity.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the input to mind and overhauled Project ETHOS with a revitalized goal - one that’s positioned to achieve its ambition to our fans.

The trust in this project increases every day. To boost the remarkable progress you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of 31st Union. After a period of talks, he officially joins us on the specified date.

Ben’s leadership and expertise in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having dedicated the past decade and a half creating and leading some of the most popular series in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in welcoming Ben next week. We are all looking forward to continue observing the progress of Project ETHOS in the months to follow.

David

Experience of the New Leader

Brinkman currently holds the role of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman previously was employed at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Details and Concept

The upcoming game was unveiled 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 step forward on the style."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch reads. "Take on the opponents with new abilities, stakes, and obstacles that change every match. Will you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively go big, risk it all, and hope your group can secure victory? The decision is up to you."

Project Ethos does not have an confirmed launch window or platforms, but players can look forward to more updates as production advances.