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

Management Shift Comes After Poor Feedback

Brinkman assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's disappointing initial reveal last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer notified employees about this organizational change through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had shown the requirement for a clearer game identity.

The president expressed that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a revised vision, aiming to better meet community desires.

Trend of Key Hires

This announcement follows a similar move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired an industry veteran from the Diablo team to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the full text from the president's communication:

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just completed your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative designers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to endure.”

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

The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was enlightening. It confirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had improvements to make. It revealed the necessity for a more distinct identity.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the feedback to mind and overhauled the title with a refreshed direction - one that’s poised to achieve its promise to our fans.

The trust in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To boost the outstanding progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome the new hire as the new Studio Head of the team. After some time of discussions, he starts with us on the specified date.

Ben’s management and expertise in the competitive gaming space is extensive, having dedicated the past decade and a half creating and overseeing some of the most well-known series in the industry, for example the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.

Please join me in welcoming Ben next week. We are all looking forward to continue observing the progress of the game in the weeks to come.

David

Experience of the New Leader

The appointee currently serves in the role of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in various development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had stints at other industry leaders.

Title Details and Vision

Project Ethos was unveiled in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. Initially, the developers presented the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative evolution on the category."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch states. "Challenge the opponents with fresh skills, stakes, and tests that evolve every match. Will you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Alternatively aim high, risk it all, and pray your group can earn top ranking? The decision is up to you."

Project Ethos does not have an confirmed release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can anticipate additional details as production continues.