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2K Games has welcomed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Management Change Comes After Mixed Reception

The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster early showing last autumn.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified team members about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had revealed the necessity for a more defined direction.

The president noted that the team is now reimagining the project with a revised focus, aiming to satisfy community desires.

A Pattern of Key Recruitment

This announcement follows a similar action taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the complete content from Ismailer's communication:

Team—

I know you all just finished your gathering - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Last time I shared you all a message, I expressed the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented creators we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to persist.”

Given your hard work and flexibility, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The player input from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was informative. It confirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but told us we still had work to do. It revealed the necessity for a clearer identity.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You took the criticism to heart and reimagined the title with a renewed direction - one that’s ready to achieve its potential to our audience.

Our confidence in this project strengthens every day. To further the outstanding progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome the new hire as the incoming Director of the team. After several months of talks, he starts with us on next week.

His management and background in the competitive gaming space is extensive, having spent the past decade and a half developing and leading some of the most well-known franchises in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in receiving Ben next week. We are all eager to persist witnessing the progress of Project ETHOS in the time to come.

The President

Experience of the New Leader

Brinkman presently serves in the role of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in multiple production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had periods at other industry leaders.

Title Information and Vision

Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 together with a early access event. Then, the developers presented the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an thrilling step forward on the category."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the description reads. "Face the opponents with fresh skills, challenges, and obstacles that shift every round. Do you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Alternatively aim high, gamble everything, and trust your squad can achieve the highest spot? The option is in your hands."

Project Ethos has not yet received an confirmed release date or consoles, but players can anticipate additional details as creation advances.