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The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently developing the forthcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Leadership Shift Comes After Lukewarm Reception

Brinkman takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' underwhelming initial reveal last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer informed team members about this organizational change through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had revealed the need for a more defined game identity.

The president expressed that the developers is now reimagining the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to better meet player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions

This announcement echoes a comparable step taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the full message from the president's announcement:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just completed your meeting - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Previously I sent you all a note, I expressed the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and creative creators we have had the chance to work with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to persist.”

Through your commitment and versatility, especially over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.

The player input from last autumn’s Project ETHOS demo was enlightening. It confirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but told us we still had work to do. It highlighted the need for a clearer vision.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the criticism to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a revitalized direction - one that’s positioned to fulfill its ambition to our players.

The belief in this project grows every day. To boost the remarkable development you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Lead of 31st Union. Following some time of conversations, he comes aboard us on next week.

Ben’s management and expertise in the competitive gaming field is vast, having devoted the recent years developing and managing some of the most well-known series in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in welcoming him in the coming days. We are all looking forward to persist witnessing the progress of the game in the months to ahead.

David

Background of the Incoming Head

Brinkman currently serves in the role of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He earlier worked at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Vision

The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a early access event. At the time, the developers presented the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative evolution on the style."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch reads. "Take on the competition with fresh skills, challenges, and obstacles that shift every session. Do you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or take a risk, gamble everything, and trust your group can achieve the highest spot? The choice is up to you."

Project Ethos does not have an official launch window or platforms, but players can look forward to further news as creation advances.