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2K Games has welcomed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the forthcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Comes After Mixed Reception

Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster unveiling last autumn.

Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified employees about this organizational change through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had revealed the necessity for a distinct direction.

Ismailer stated that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to better meet community desires.

Trend of Key Acquisitions

This announcement follows a comparable move taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the BioShock development group.

Below is the full text from Ismailer's announcement:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just wrapped up your gathering - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a note, I stated the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most driven and innovative creators we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re eager for that partnership to continue.”

With your dedication and adaptability, especially over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The community feedback from last autumn’s the game playtest was informative. It validated the promise of a action-packed game but made clear we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the need for a sharper vision.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the criticism to consideration and reimagined the title with a renewed goal - one that’s ready to deliver on its promise to our fans.

The trust in this project grows every day. To further the incredible advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome Ben Brinkman as the incoming Lead of the team. After some time of discussions, Ben starts with us on the specified date.

Ben’s guidance and background in the PVP shooter space is considerable, having dedicated the past decade and a half developing and overseeing some of the most popular titles in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.

Please join me in greeting him next week. We are all looking forward to keep observing the development of the game in the time to follow.

The President

Background of the Incoming Head

Brinkman currently serves in the role of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman previously was employed at major gaming companies in various development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Details and Vision

The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. At the time, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling evolution on the genre."

"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 description states. "Challenge the competition with fresh skills, challenges, and challenges that shift every round. Do you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Alternatively go big, put it on the line, and hope your group can secure victory? The choice is up to you."

Project Ethos lacks an official release date or supported systems, but fans can look forward to further news as development progresses.