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2K Games has welcomed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently developing the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Transition Follows Lukewarm Response

Brinkman takes on the role of studio head at the development studio following the exit of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming unveiling last fall.

Recently, 2K president David Ismailer updated staff about this decision through an internal memo, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had indicated the need for a distinct direction.

The president stated that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a revised vision, aiming to better meet gamer demands.

A Pattern of Key Recruitment

The news mirrors a comparable move taken by 2K Games in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to work on the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the full content from the president's memo:

Team—

I understand you all just completed your meeting - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a message, I expressed the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most driven and innovative designers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to persist.”

With your dedication and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The player input from last fall’s the game testing phase was revealing. It affirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had improvements to make. It revealed the requirement for a sharper identity.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the input to mind and overhauled the title with a revitalized goal - one that’s positioned to deliver on its potential to our audience.

The trust in this project strengthens every day. To advance the incredible advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome Ben Brinkman as the new Studio Head of 31st Union. Following a period of conversations, Ben starts with us on next week.

Ben’s leadership and experience in the PVP shooter field is extensive, having spent the last 15 years creating and leading some of the most well-known series in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in greeting him next week. We are all eager to persist seeing the development of Project ETHOS in the months to come.

The President

Experience of the Incoming Head

Brinkman currently holds the role of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He earlier worked at major gaming companies in multiple development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Title Information and Vision

The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 together with a public demo. Then, 31st Union presented the title as a "no-cost, 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 match your preferred approach," the game's pitch reads. "Challenge the opponents with fresh skills, stakes, and challenges that evolve every round. Will you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Or go big, risk it all, and pray your squad can secure victory? The option is yours."

The game has not yet received an confirmed release date or platforms, but players can look forward to further news as production continues.