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The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Management Change Follows Mixed Reception

The new appointee assumes the role of studio head at the development studio following the exit of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster initial reveal last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer notified staff about this strategic move through an official communication, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had indicated the requirement for a clearer vision.

Ismailer noted that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a renewed focus, aiming to better meet gamer demands.

A Pattern of Key Acquisitions

The news follows a comparable action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the full message from Ismailer's communication:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just wrapped up your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Previously I sent you all a note, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and creative developers we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to persist.”

With your dedication and flexibility, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The player input from last autumn’s the game testing phase was informative. It affirmed the potential of a action-packed game but made clear we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the requirement for a sharper identity.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the feedback to heart and overhauled Project ETHOS with a refreshed vision - one that’s poised to achieve its ambition to our audience.

The trust in this project increases every day. To advance the incredible advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce the new hire as the new Director of 31st Union. Following some time of talks, Ben comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s management and expertise in the competitive gaming space is extensive, having dedicated the past decade and a half developing and overseeing some of the most popular titles in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in welcoming him in the coming days. We are all excited to keep witnessing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to follow.

The President

Background of the New Leader

Brinkman presently holds the role of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier worked at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Information and Vision

Project Ethos was revealed in last year together with a public demo. Initially, 31st Union described the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an exciting advancement on the style."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the description states. "Face the opponents with fresh skills, risks, and tests that evolve every round. Will you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively aim high, gamble everything, and trust your group can secure victory? The choice is yours."

Project Ethos has not yet received an announced release date or supported systems, but players can expect more updates as development continues.