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2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the forthcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Follows Mixed Reception

The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster unveiling last fall.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified team members about this strategic move through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had revealed the need for a distinct direction.

Ismailer noted that the team is now reimagining the project with a revised focus, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.

A Pattern of Strategic Hires

This announcement follows a similar step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the BioShock development group.

Below is the entire content from Ismailer's memo:

Team—

I understand you all just completed your gathering - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the positive developments. Last time I shared you all a message, I stated the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most driven and creative designers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re eager for that relationship to endure.”

Given your hard work and flexibility, particularly over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS demo was informative. It affirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but made clear we still had work to do. It highlighted the need for a more distinct brand.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You embraced the input to heart and revamped the title with a refreshed direction - one that’s positioned to fulfill its promise to our audience.

Our confidence in this project strengthens every day. To further the outstanding progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce Ben Brinkman as the latest Lead of the team. After a period of discussions, Ben starts with us on the specified date.

Ben’s management and expertise in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having dedicated the past decade and a half producing and managing some of the most well-known franchises in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in greeting him next week. We are all eager to continue observing the evolution of the game in the weeks to come.

David

Experience of the Incoming Head

Brinkman presently holds the position of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Information and Concept

The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a public demo. Initially, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative advancement on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch states. "Take on the competition with new abilities, stakes, and obstacles that shift every round. Do you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Or aim high, gamble everything, and hope your group can earn top ranking? The decision is up to you."

Project Ethos lacks an announced release date or platforms, but enthusiasts can look forward to further news as creation advances.