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The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the forthcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Change Comes After Lukewarm Reception

The new appointee steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing early showing last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified employees about this decision through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had indicated the need for a clearer vision.

The president expressed that the developers is now reimagining the project with a renewed focus, aiming to address community desires.

Trend of Key Acquisitions

The news echoes a comparable step taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they brought on an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the complete text from the president's announcement:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just completed your town hall - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Previously I shared you all a note, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and innovative developers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to continue.”

Through your commitment and versatility, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The community feedback from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was enlightening. It validated the potential of a action-packed game but made clear we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the necessity for a more distinct vision.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the input to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a refreshed vision - one that’s poised to fulfill its promise to our audience.

Our confidence in this project strengthens every day. To further the outstanding progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Director of 31st Union. Following some time of discussions, he comes aboard us on the specified date.

Ben’s management and background in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having spent the last 15 years developing and managing some of the most recognizable series in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in greeting him in the coming days. We are all excited to continue seeing the progress of the game in the weeks to come.

David

Experience of the Incoming Head

The appointee presently holds the position of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier worked at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Information and Vision

Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 alongside a public demo. Initially, the developers presented the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an exciting evolution on the genre."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the game's pitch explains. "Challenge the opponents with unique powers, challenges, and challenges that change every round. Will you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Alternatively go big, gamble everything, and pray your team can earn top ranking? The decision is up to you."

Project Ethos does not have an announced launch window or platforms, but enthusiasts can look forward to more updates as creation advances.