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2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the forthcoming third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Management Change Follows Mixed Reception

Brinkman steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's underwhelming early showing last fall.

Recently, 2K president a key figure informed team members about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had revealed the necessity for a clearer vision.

The president noted that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a refreshed focus, aiming to satisfy community desires.

A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions

The news mirrors a comparable step taken by 2K Games in August, when they hired an industry veteran from the Diablo team to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the complete text from the president's communication:

Team—

I know you all just wrapped up your town hall - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Previously I sent you all a update, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and creative designers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re eager for that partnership to endure.”

Given your hard work and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It affirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the requirement for a clearer brand.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You took the input to mind and revamped Project ETHOS with a renewed vision - one that’s poised to deliver on its ambition to our fans.

The belief in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To advance the remarkable progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce the new hire as the latest Studio Head of 31st Union. After several months of discussions, Ben officially joins us on the specified date.

Ben’s management and background in the PVP shooter field is extensive, having dedicated the recent years producing and managing some of the most popular titles in the industry, for example the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, Apex Legends.

Let’s together in welcoming him in the coming days. We are all looking forward to continue seeing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to follow.

The President

Experience of the Incoming Leader

Brinkman currently serves in the position of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously was employed at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Concept

Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 alongside a public demo. Initially, 31st Union described the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative advancement on the genre."

"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 reads. "Take on the opponents with unique powers, challenges, and challenges that shift every round. Do you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Or take a risk, risk it all, and pray your squad can earn top ranking? The option is up to you."

The game does not have an confirmed launch window or platforms, but players can look forward to additional details as production progresses.