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2K Games has secured a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently developing the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Transition Comes After Mixed Response

The new appointee steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing initial reveal last autumn.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure notified employees about this decision through an official communication, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had indicated the necessity for a more defined vision.

Ismailer stated that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a renewed vision, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.

Trend of Strategic Acquisitions

The news echoes a similar move taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they hired an industry veteran from the Diablo team to contribute to the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the entire content from the president's communication:

Team—

I understand you all just finished your town hall - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a message, I expressed the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and creative creators we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re eager for that partnership to continue.”

Given your hard work and flexibility, especially over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s the game playtest was enlightening. It confirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had work to do. It revealed the need for a sharper vision.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You took the feedback to heart and revamped Project ETHOS with a refreshed vision - one that’s poised to fulfill its promise to our players.

Our confidence in this project strengthens every day. To advance the outstanding development you’ve made, I’m excited to announce Ben Brinkman as the new Director of 31st Union. After several months of conversations, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s management and experience in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having dedicated the past decade and a half producing and overseeing some of the most recognizable titles in the industry, for example the acclaimed shooter, and lately, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in receiving Ben in the coming days. We are all eager to continue seeing the development of Project ETHOS in the time to ahead.

David

Background of the New Head

Brinkman presently serves in the position of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Vision

Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. Then, the developers presented the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an exciting evolution 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 suit your personal playstyle," the official summary explains. "Face the rivals with new abilities, challenges, and tests that evolve every match. Do you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively go big, risk it all, and hope your squad can earn top ranking? The decision is in your hands."

The game lacks an official release date or platforms, but fans can anticipate more updates as production advances.