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2K Games has welcomed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Change Follows Lukewarm Reception

Brinkman steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing initial reveal last fall.

Recently, 2K president a key figure notified team members about this decision through an internal memo, which emphasized that playtesting had shown the requirement for a clearer direction.

Ismailer stated that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a refreshed vision, aiming to better meet gamer demands.

Trend of Key Hires

This announcement mirrors a similar step taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they brought on an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise development group.

Below is the complete content from Ismailer's announcement:

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just finished your meeting - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a update, I stated the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most driven and innovative developers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to endure.”

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

The player input from last autumn’s the game testing phase was enlightening. It confirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but indicated we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the need for a more distinct brand.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the input to consideration and revamped Project ETHOS with a renewed goal - one that’s positioned to deliver on its ambition to our fans.

Our confidence in this project strengthens every day. To boost the outstanding progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of the team. Following some time of talks, he officially joins us on the specified date.

His management and experience in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having devoted the last 15 years creating and overseeing some of the most popular franchises in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.

Let’s together in greeting Ben in the coming days. We are all looking forward to continue witnessing the development of Project ETHOS in the time to follow.

David

Experience of the New Leader

The appointee presently serves in the position of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He earlier was employed at major gaming companies in various production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Concept

Project Ethos was announced in last year alongside a community playtest. Initially, the developers described the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling advancement on the genre."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to match your preferred approach," the description reads. "Challenge the opponents with new abilities, challenges, and tests that evolve every match. Will you leave securely with your collected items? Or take a risk, risk it all, and trust your squad can earn top ranking? The choice is in your hands."

Project Ethos does not have an official launch window or supported systems, but enthusiasts can look forward to more updates as creation continues.