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2K Games has secured a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the development team at their internal studio, which is currently developing the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Change Comes After Mixed Feedback

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

Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified staff about this strategic move through an official communication, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had shown the requirement for a distinct game identity.

Ismailer noted that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a refreshed vision, aiming to better meet player expectations.

Trend of Strategic Recruitment

This announcement mirrors a similar step taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the entire message from Ismailer's announcement:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just finished your gathering - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most driven and innovative developers we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that relationship to endure.”

With your dedication and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS playtest was revealing. It affirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the necessity for a clearer identity.

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

Our confidence in this project increases every day. To boost the incredible development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of the team. Following several months of conversations, he comes aboard us on the specified date.

Ben’s guidance and experience in the PVP shooter field is extensive, having spent the past decade and a half developing and leading some of the most popular titles in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and lately, Apex Legends.

Please join me in greeting him soon. We are all eager to persist observing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the months to come.

The President

Background of the New Leader

Brinkman presently holds the role of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He earlier worked at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Details and Concept

The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 together with a community playtest. At the time, 31st Union described the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting advancement on the category."

"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 unique powers, risks, and obstacles that change every session. Will you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Or go big, put it on the line, and pray your team can achieve the highest spot? The option is up to you."

The game has not yet received an official debut schedule or platforms, but players can expect more updates as production progresses.