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The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Management Shift Comes After Lukewarm Feedback

The new appointee steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster initial reveal last autumn.

Recently, 2K president David Ismailer updated staff about this decision through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had shown the necessity for a distinct vision.

Ismailer expressed that the team is now overhauling the project with a refreshed approach, aiming to satisfy player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions

The news echoes a comparable move taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to work on the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the full content from Ismailer's memo:

Team—

I know you all just finished your town hall - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative developers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re excited for that partnership to persist.”

Given your hard work and versatility, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS playtest was revealing. It validated the appeal of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the requirement for a sharper vision.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the input to mind and revamped the title with a refreshed goal - one that’s ready to fulfill its potential to our fans.

The belief in Project ETHOS increases every day. To advance the outstanding development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Lead of 31st Union. After a period of discussions, Ben starts with us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s leadership and background in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having devoted the past decade and a half developing and leading some of the most popular franchises in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and lately, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in welcoming Ben soon. We are all looking forward to persist witnessing the progress of Project ETHOS in the months to follow.

The President

Background of the New Head

Brinkman presently holds the role of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Concept

The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 alongside a public demo. Initially, the developers presented the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling advancement on the category."

"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 game's pitch explains. "Take on the opponents with new abilities, stakes, and challenges that evolve every session. Do you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Alternatively go big, put it on the line, and trust your team can secure victory? The choice is up to you."

Project Ethos has not yet received an confirmed debut schedule or consoles, but fans can anticipate further news as development advances.