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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 crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Comes After Poor Response

The new appointee assumes the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing unveiling last fall.

Recently, the company's top executive a key figure notified team members about this decision through an internal memo, which highlighted that playtesting had shown the need for a distinct vision.

Ismailer stated that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a renewed focus, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.

Trend of Key Acquisitions

The news mirrors a similar step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to work on the beloved franchise development group.

Below is the full message from the president's announcement:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just completed your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Last time I shared you all a update, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and talented creators we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that relationship to continue.”

Through your commitment and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS playtest was enlightening. It affirmed the potential of a action-packed game but made clear we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the requirement for a sharper identity.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the input to mind and reimagined Project ETHOS with a revitalized goal - one that’s positioned to deliver on its promise to our audience.

The belief in this project strengthens every day. To boost the incredible development you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome Ben Brinkman as the new Studio Head of 31st Union. Following a period of discussions, Ben officially joins us on the specified date.

Ben’s guidance and expertise in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having spent the past decade and a half developing and leading some of the most recognizable franchises in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in welcoming him in the coming days. We are all excited to continue witnessing the progress of the game in the time to follow.

David

Experience of the New Head

Brinkman presently serves in the position of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Information and Concept

Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. Initially, 31st Union presented the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an thrilling advancement on the genre."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch explains. "Take on the opponents with unique powers, stakes, and tests that change every session. Do you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Or aim high, put it on the line, and pray your squad can achieve the highest spot? The option is up to you."

The game has not yet received an official release date or supported systems, but fans can expect further news as production continues.