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2K Games has secured a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Change Follows Lukewarm Response

Brinkman takes on the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's disappointing unveiling last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer updated team members about this decision through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had indicated the requirement for a more defined game identity.

The president stated that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to address gamer demands.

Trend of Key Hires

This announcement mirrors a comparable move taken by 2K Games in August, when they brought on an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the entire content from the president's communication:

Team—

I know you all just wrapped up your town hall - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and innovative designers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re eager for that relationship to persist.”

Given your hard work and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The player input from last fall’s the game demo was revealing. It confirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the requirement for a sharper vision.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the input to heart and overhauled the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s poised to fulfill its potential to our players.

The belief in this project strengthens every day. To boost the incredible advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce Ben Brinkman as the latest Director of the team. Following a period of conversations, Ben comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.

His management and expertise in the competitive gaming field is extensive, having spent the past decade and a half developing and leading some of the most well-known titles in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in welcoming Ben soon. We are all eager to keep seeing the evolution of the game in the time to follow.

David

Experience of the New Head

Brinkman presently serves in the position of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He earlier worked at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Vision

The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. Then, 31st Union presented the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting evolution on the style."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the game's pitch reads. "Take on the opponents with new abilities, challenges, and obstacles that change every session. Do you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Or go big, put it on the line, and pray your squad can secure victory? The option is up to you."

The game lacks an announced debut schedule or consoles, but fans can anticipate additional details as development progresses.