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The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Management Change Follows Lukewarm Feedback

The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at the development studio following the exit of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's lackluster unveiling last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified staff about this strategic move through an internal memo, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had indicated the need for a clearer vision.

The president noted that the developers is now refining the project with a revised approach, aiming to satisfy player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Hires

The news mirrors a comparable step taken by 2K Games in August, when they brought on an industry veteran from Blizzard to contribute to the BioShock development group.

Here is the complete message from the president's memo:

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just completed your town hall - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most driven and creative developers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to persist.”

With your dedication and adaptability, particularly over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s the game testing phase was informative. It validated the potential of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It revealed the necessity for a more distinct identity.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the criticism to heart and revamped the title with a revitalized direction - one that’s ready to achieve its promise to our fans.

The belief in Project ETHOS increases every day. To further the remarkable development you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce the new hire as the latest Lead of 31st Union. After a period of conversations, he comes aboard us on next week.

His management and experience in the competitive gaming field is extensive, having spent the past decade and a half creating and overseeing some of the most recognizable series in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.

Let’s together in welcoming him in the coming days. We are all looking forward to persist witnessing the development of the game in the weeks to follow.

The President

Background of the New Leader

The appointee presently serves in the position of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Title Information and Concept

Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 alongside a early access event. At the time, the developers portrayed the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an innovative advancement 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 suit your personal playstyle," the official summary states. "Challenge the competition with unique powers, stakes, and obstacles that change every match. Will you leave securely with your collected items? Or aim high, gamble everything, and pray your team can achieve the highest spot? The option is in your hands."

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