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The renowned publisher has secured a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Change Follows Lukewarm Feedback

Brinkman takes on 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 the game's disappointing early showing last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure informed employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which emphasized that playtesting had indicated the necessity for a more defined vision.

Ismailer expressed that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to better meet community desires.

Trend of Key Acquisitions

The news echoes a comparable step taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.

Here is the full content from the president's memo:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just finished your town hall - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the positive developments. Last time I shared you all a update, I expressed the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most driven and creative creators we have had the pleasure to work with - and we’re excited for that partnership to endure.”

Given your hard work and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The community feedback from last fall’s the game demo was informative. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had refinements needed. It revealed the need for a more distinct vision.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You embraced the feedback to mind and reimagined Project ETHOS with a renewed vision - one that’s positioned to deliver on its potential to our fans.

The trust in this project strengthens every day. To further the incredible development you’ve made, I’m excited to announce the new hire as the new Director of the team. After some time of talks, he starts with us on the specified date.

Ben’s leadership and experience in the PVP shooter field is considerable, having dedicated the last 15 years developing and overseeing some of the most well-known series in gaming, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in receiving him next week. We are all eager to continue seeing the development of Project ETHOS in the months to follow.

David

Background of the Incoming Head

Brinkman currently holds the role of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Title Details and Concept

The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a early access event. At the time, 31st Union presented the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative advancement on the category."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the official summary states. "Face the opponents with unique powers, risks, and obstacles that change every session. Will you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Or take a risk, gamble everything, and hope your team can secure victory? The decision is in your hands."

Project Ethos has not yet received an confirmed release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can look forward to additional details as production progresses.