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The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Management Shift Comes After Mixed Feedback

The new appointee steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing initial reveal last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer updated team members about this strategic move through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had revealed the requirement for a clearer direction.

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

A Pattern of Key Recruitment

This announcement echoes a comparable step taken by the publisher in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the entire text from Ismailer's memo:

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just finished your town hall - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative creators we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to persist.”

With your dedication and versatility, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s the game demo was informative. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had work to do. It uncovered the need for a clearer identity.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the criticism to heart and revamped Project ETHOS with a renewed goal - one that’s poised to achieve its promise to our fans.

Our confidence in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the outstanding development you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of 31st Union. After several months of talks, Ben comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s guidance and expertise in the PVP shooter field is extensive, having devoted the last 15 years developing and leading some of the most well-known franchises in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in greeting Ben in the coming days. We are all excited to continue seeing the evolution of the game in the weeks to follow.

The President

Experience of the Incoming Head

Brinkman currently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He earlier was employed at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Information and Concept

The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 alongside a public demo. Initially, the developers presented the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting step forward 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 game's pitch states. "Take on the rivals with unique powers, risks, and tests that change every match. Do you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Or go big, put it on the line, and hope your group can achieve the highest spot? The option is up to you."

Project Ethos does not have an official debut schedule or consoles, but enthusiasts can look forward to more updates as development advances.