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2K Games has secured a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Management Change Comes After Poor Reception

Brinkman assumes the leadership position at 31st Union following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's lackluster initial reveal last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure updated employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which emphasized that playtesting had revealed the need for a clearer vision.

The president stated that the developers is now reimagining the project with a refreshed approach, aiming to address player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Recruitment

The news echoes a comparable action taken by 2K Games in August, when they hired an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the complete text from Ismailer's communication:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just completed your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most driven and innovative designers we have had the pleasure to work with - and we’re excited for that partnership to continue.”

With your dedication and adaptability, especially over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It confirmed the potential of a action-packed game but indicated we still had refinements needed. It revealed the need for a more distinct vision.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the criticism to mind and overhauled Project ETHOS with a renewed goal - one that’s poised to fulfill its potential to our players.

The belief in this project strengthens every day. To further the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Lead of the team. Following some time of discussions, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.

His management and expertise in the competitive gaming genre is extensive, having dedicated the last 15 years producing and leading some of the most recognizable series in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.

Let’s together in receiving him next week. We are all looking forward to keep observing the progress of Project ETHOS in the weeks to follow.

David

Experience of the Incoming Leader

The appointee presently holds the position of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Information and Vision

Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. At the time, 31st Union presented the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting evolution on the genre."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in real-time to match your preferred approach," the official summary states. "Face the competition with unique powers, stakes, and tests that shift every round. Do you leave securely with your collected items? Alternatively go big, put it on the line, and hope your team can achieve the highest spot? The option is in your hands."

Project Ethos does not have an confirmed release date or consoles, but players can look forward to further news as production continues.