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The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the development team at their internal studio, which is currently working on the forthcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Management Transition Comes After Poor 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 the game's underwhelming initial reveal last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure updated staff about this organizational change through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had revealed the need for a more defined game identity.

Ismailer stated that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a revised approach, aiming to better meet gamer demands.

A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions

This announcement echoes a similar step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the complete message from Ismailer's announcement:

Dear Team—

I know you all just completed your meeting - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Last time I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented creators we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that relationship to persist.”

Given your hard work and flexibility, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The community feedback from last fall’s the game testing phase was enlightening. It confirmed the potential of a action-packed game but made clear we still had work to do. It highlighted the requirement for a more distinct brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the input to mind and revamped the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s ready to achieve its promise to our players.

The belief in this project grows every day. To advance the remarkable development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of 31st Union. Following some time of conversations, Ben officially joins us on next week.

His guidance and experience in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having spent the recent years developing and overseeing some of the most well-known series in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.

Please join me in receiving Ben in the coming days. We are all looking forward to continue seeing the development of Project ETHOS in the months to follow.

The President

Experience of the Incoming Head

Brinkman presently holds the role of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Details and Concept

Project Ethos was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a early access event. At the time, 31st Union described the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an exciting advancement on the style."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to match your preferred approach," the description states. "Face the rivals with fresh skills, stakes, and challenges that change every round. Do you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Alternatively aim high, put it on the line, and trust your squad can secure victory? The option is in your hands."

Project Ethos has not yet received an confirmed launch window or platforms, but fans can anticipate more updates as production progresses.