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2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the forthcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift Comes After Mixed Feedback

Brinkman assumes the role of studio head at the development studio following the departure of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster initial reveal last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified team members about this decision through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had indicated the need for a more defined game identity.

The president noted that the developers is now overhauling the project with a renewed approach, aiming to address gamer demands.

Trend of Strategic Acquisitions

This announcement follows a similar move taken by the publisher in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to work on the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

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

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just wrapped up your town hall - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative developers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that partnership to endure.”

Through your commitment and flexibility, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s the game playtest was informative. It confirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had improvements to make. It revealed the need for a more distinct vision.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the feedback to mind and reimagined Project ETHOS with a refreshed goal - one that’s poised to achieve its potential to our players.

The trust in this project grows every day. To further the incredible development you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome the new hire as the latest Director of 31st Union. Following some time of conversations, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.

His leadership and experience in the PVP shooter genre is considerable, having devoted the past decade and a half producing and leading some of the most well-known series in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in receiving him next week. We are all excited to continue witnessing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the months to ahead.

The President

Experience of the Incoming Head

The appointee currently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Vision

Project Ethos was announced in last year in conjunction with a community playtest. Initially, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an thrilling advancement on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the official summary explains. "Face the competition with new abilities, stakes, and challenges that shift every session. Do you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Alternatively take a risk, risk it all, and pray your team can achieve the highest spot? The option is up to you."

Project Ethos lacks an official launch window or supported systems, but enthusiasts can anticipate additional details as creation continues.