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2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the anticipated over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Follows Poor Reception

Brinkman takes on the role of studio head 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 lackluster unveiling last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure updated staff about this strategic move through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had indicated the need for a clearer vision.

Ismailer stated that the team is now reimagining the project with a refreshed focus, aiming to better meet community desires.

A Pattern of Key Acquisitions

This announcement mirrors a similar move taken by 2K Games in August, when they brought on an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the entire content from the president's communication:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just wrapped up your town hall - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented designers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re eager for that relationship to persist.”

Through your commitment and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The community feedback from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was informative. It validated the promise of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had work to do. It highlighted the need for a clearer brand.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the feedback to heart and reimagined the title with a revitalized direction - one that’s positioned to fulfill its potential to our fans.

Our confidence in Project ETHOS increases every day. To boost the incredible development you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce the new hire as the incoming Lead of 31st Union. After some time of talks, Ben officially joins us on next week.

Ben’s management and expertise in the competitive gaming genre is considerable, having devoted the past decade and a half producing and managing some of the most popular series in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in greeting him soon. We are all excited to keep seeing the progress of Project ETHOS in the weeks to come.

David

Background of the New Leader

The appointee presently serves in the role of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier worked at major gaming companies in multiple development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, prior to that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Details and Vision

The upcoming game was unveiled in last year in conjunction with a public demo. Then, the developers portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling step forward on the category."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary states. "Face the rivals with unique powers, challenges, and obstacles that change every match. Do you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Or aim high, put it on the line, and hope your team can achieve the highest spot? The option is up to you."

The game has not yet received an official release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can look forward to further news as creation progresses.