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2K Games has secured a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the forthcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Transition Follows Poor Reception

Brinkman steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's underwhelming initial reveal last fall.

Recently, 2K president a key figure updated staff about this organizational change through an internal memo, which emphasized that playtesting had revealed the necessity for a clearer direction.

The president expressed that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a renewed focus, aiming to address player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Hires

This announcement follows a comparable step 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.

Below is the full message from Ismailer's communication:

Team—

I know you all just wrapped up your town hall - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and innovative designers we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that partnership to persist.”

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

The player input from last autumn’s the game playtest was revealing. It affirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the necessity for a sharper identity.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the feedback to consideration and reimagined the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s positioned to deliver on its ambition to our audience.

The belief in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To advance the remarkable advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to announce the new hire as the latest Director of the team. Following several months of talks, Ben starts with us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s management and experience in the competitive gaming genre is vast, having dedicated the recent years creating and leading some of the most well-known franchises in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in greeting him in the coming days. We are all eager to keep witnessing the evolution of the game in the weeks to ahead.

David

Experience of the New Leader

The appointee currently serves in the position of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously was employed at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.

Title Information and Concept

The upcoming game was revealed in last year alongside a community playtest. Initially, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an innovative advancement on the style."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the description states. "Face the competition with unique powers, stakes, and obstacles that shift every round. Do you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Or take a risk, risk it all, and trust your group can achieve the highest spot? The choice is up to you."

Project Ethos does not have an official launch window or platforms, but enthusiasts can look forward to additional details as development progresses.