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2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the upcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Management Shift Comes After Poor Response

Brinkman assumes the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing initial reveal last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure updated team members about this decision through an internal memo, which emphasized that playtesting had shown the requirement for a distinct direction.

The president expressed that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a revised focus, aiming to better meet player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Recruitment

The news follows a similar action taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the full text from Ismailer's announcement:

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just finished your gathering - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and innovative developers we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to endure.”

Through your commitment and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The community feedback from last fall’s the game testing phase was revealing. It confirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It revealed the need for a clearer identity.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You took the input to mind and revamped Project ETHOS with a revitalized goal - one that’s ready to deliver on its promise to our players.

The trust in this project strengthens every day. To further the remarkable advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to announce the new hire as the new Lead of the team. After some time of discussions, Ben comes aboard us on the specified date.

His management and background in the PVP shooter field is extensive, having spent the last 15 years developing and leading some of the most recognizable franchises in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.

Let’s together in greeting Ben next week. We are all excited to persist observing the progress of Project ETHOS in the months to come.

The President

Background of the Incoming Leader

The appointee currently holds the role of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Details and Concept

The upcoming game was unveiled in last year alongside a public demo. At the time, the developers presented the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling step forward on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary reads. "Take on the competition with new abilities, risks, and obstacles that evolve every session. Will you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Or aim high, risk it all, and hope your group can earn top ranking? The choice is yours."

Project Ethos does not have an official release date or supported systems, but players can anticipate further news as development progresses.