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The renowned publisher has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Transition Follows Mixed Reception

Brinkman steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster early showing last autumn.

Recently, 2K president a key figure notified staff about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had indicated the need for a more defined vision.

The president noted that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a refreshed focus, aiming to address player expectations.

A Pattern of Key Hires

This announcement mirrors a similar step taken by the publisher in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the entire message from Ismailer's communication:

Team—

I know you all just completed your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a update, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most driven and creative creators we have had the chance to work with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to endure.”

Through your commitment and versatility, especially over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The player input from last fall’s the game playtest was informative. It confirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but indicated we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the need for a clearer brand.

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

The belief in this project strengthens every day. To further the outstanding advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome Ben Brinkman as the incoming Director of the team. After some time of discussions, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20.

His guidance and background in the competitive gaming space is vast, having devoted the last 15 years developing and managing some of the most popular series in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in greeting Ben soon. We are all excited to keep observing the development of Project ETHOS in the time to follow.

David

Experience of the Incoming Leader

Brinkman currently holds the position of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He previously worked at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Information and Vision

Project Ethos was revealed in last year in conjunction with a early access event. Initially, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling step forward on the category."

"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 game's pitch states. "Face the rivals with unique powers, risks, and obstacles that evolve every match. Will you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Or go big, put it on the line, and pray your team can achieve the highest spot? The option is up to you."

The game lacks an announced launch window or consoles, but enthusiasts can anticipate additional details as development advances.