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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 Transition Follows Poor Feedback

The new appointee steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's lackluster unveiling last fall.

Recently, 2K president a key figure informed staff about this strategic move through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had indicated the need for a distinct vision.

The president noted that the developers is now reimagining the project with a renewed approach, aiming to better meet player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Recruitment

The news mirrors a comparable step taken by 2K Games in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the complete message from the president's announcement:

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just finished your town hall - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a message, I expressed the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative designers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re excited for that partnership to persist.”

Given your hard work and versatility, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The community feedback from last fall’s the game demo was informative. It validated the appeal of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had improvements to make. It revealed the necessity for a sharper brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the criticism to heart and overhauled the title with a renewed vision - one that’s poised to achieve its promise to our audience.

The trust in Project ETHOS grows every day. To boost the incredible progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of 31st Union. Following a period of conversations, he starts with us on the specified date.

Ben’s management and experience in the PVP shooter space is vast, having spent the recent years developing and leading some of the most well-known series in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in welcoming him next week. We are all excited to continue witnessing the progress of Project ETHOS in the time to follow.

David

Experience of the Incoming Leader

Brinkman currently serves in the role of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman previously was employed at major gaming companies in various production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had periods at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Concept

Project Ethos was announced in last year alongside a community playtest. At the time, 31st Union presented the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative step forward on the genre."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to match your preferred approach," the official summary reads. "Face the opponents with new abilities, stakes, and tests that evolve every match. Do you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Alternatively go big, risk it all, and trust your team can earn top ranking? The option is up to you."

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