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The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift Follows Mixed Feedback

The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster initial reveal last autumn.

Recently, 2K president David Ismailer notified team members about this strategic move through an internal memo, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had indicated the requirement for a clearer direction.

The president noted that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a revised approach, aiming to better meet community desires.

Trend of Strategic Hires

This announcement echoes a similar step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

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

Dear Team—

I know you all just wrapped up your meeting - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and creative developers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re excited for that partnership to persist.”

Given your hard work and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS demo was informative. It affirmed the promise of a action-packed game but indicated we still had work to do. It revealed the need for a more distinct vision.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You took the criticism to heart and overhauled the title with a revitalized goal - one that’s ready to fulfill its potential to our fans.

The belief in Project ETHOS increases every day. To boost the incredible advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce the new hire as the new Director of the team. After some time of talks, he comes aboard us on next week.

His leadership and background in the PVP shooter field is considerable, having devoted the recent years developing and leading some of the most recognizable titles in the industry, such as the acclaimed shooter, and lately, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in welcoming Ben next week. We are all looking forward to continue seeing the development of Project ETHOS in the time to ahead.

The President

Background of the New Leader

The appointee currently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had periods at other industry leaders.

Title Details and Concept

The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. Initially, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling step forward 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 match your preferred approach," the official summary explains. "Face the competition with unique powers, challenges, and obstacles that shift every round. Will you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Alternatively go big, put it on the line, and pray your group can secure victory? The option is up to you."

Project Ethos lacks an confirmed release date or consoles, but enthusiasts can anticipate more updates as creation progresses.