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2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift Follows Poor Reception

Brinkman takes on the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's underwhelming initial reveal last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified staff about this strategic move through an official communication, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had shown the requirement for a clearer direction.

The president noted that the team is now overhauling the project with a revised vision, aiming to better meet player expectations.

Trend of Strategic Recruitment

The news mirrors a comparable move taken by 2K Games in August, when they hired an industry veteran from the Diablo team to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the complete message from Ismailer's communication:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just completed your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and talented designers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that partnership to endure.”

Through your commitment and adaptability, especially over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s the game playtest was revealing. It validated the appeal of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had improvements to make. It revealed the requirement for a sharper identity.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the feedback to mind and reimagined the title with a revitalized vision - one that’s ready to fulfill its potential to our fans.

The belief in Project ETHOS increases every day. To boost the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to announce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Lead of 31st Union. Following a period of conversations, Ben starts with us on the specified date.

Ben’s management and experience in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having spent the past decade and a half creating and overseeing some of the most recognizable series in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in welcoming Ben next week. We are all eager to persist observing the development of Project ETHOS in the months to come.

The President

Experience of the Incoming Leader

The appointee presently holds the role of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He earlier worked at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Concept

The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 together with a public demo. Initially, the developers portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter 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 suit your personal playstyle," the description reads. "Challenge the rivals with unique powers, risks, and obstacles that change every round. Do you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Alternatively go big, gamble everything, and hope your group can earn top ranking? The decision is up to you."

The game does not have an announced debut schedule or platforms, but players can look forward to more updates as creation advances.