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2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the anticipated over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Management Change Comes After Poor Response

Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the exit of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's disappointing initial reveal last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure informed staff about this strategic move through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had shown the necessity for a distinct game identity.

The president expressed that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a renewed focus, aiming to satisfy player expectations.

A Pattern of Key Hires

The news follows a similar action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise development group.

Below is the complete content from the president's communication:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just completed your town hall - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Previously I sent you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative developers we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to endure.”

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

The player input from last fall’s the game playtest was informative. It confirmed the potential of a action-packed game but indicated we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the need for a more distinct vision.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You took the criticism to mind and revamped the title with a renewed direction - one that’s positioned to deliver on its potential to our fans.

The trust in this project grows every day. To boost the remarkable advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome the new hire as the latest Studio Head of the team. After a period of conversations, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s management and background in the competitive gaming space is vast, having spent the recent years producing and managing some of the most popular titles in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and lately, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in greeting him in the coming days. We are all looking forward to keep observing the progress of Project ETHOS in the weeks to come.

David

Experience of the New Head

Brinkman currently holds the position of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, before that, had stints at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Vision

Project Ethos was unveiled in October 2024 in conjunction with a early access event. Initially, the developers presented the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting evolution on the category."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the description reads. "Face the competition with unique powers, challenges, and tests that shift every match. Do you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Or aim high, gamble everything, and trust your squad can achieve the highest spot? The decision is up to you."

The game does not have an announced release date or platforms, but enthusiasts can anticipate additional details as development progresses.