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2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift Follows Mixed Feedback

Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the exit of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's underwhelming unveiling last fall.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified employees about this strategic move through an official communication, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had indicated the necessity for a more defined vision.

The president noted that the developers is now overhauling the project with a renewed approach, aiming to better meet player expectations.

Trend of Key Hires

The news mirrors a similar move taken by 2K Games in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to work on the BioShock development group.

Below is the entire message from the president's communication:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just finished your meeting - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Last time I shared you all a message, I stated the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and talented designers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that partnership to continue.”

Given your hard work and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s the game demo was informative. It confirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but made clear we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the necessity for a more distinct identity.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You took the criticism to consideration and overhauled Project ETHOS with a renewed direction - one that’s ready to fulfill its potential to our audience.

The trust in Project ETHOS increases every day. To further the incredible advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce Ben Brinkman as the new Studio Head of the team. After some time of discussions, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s management and experience in the competitive gaming space is vast, having dedicated the recent years producing and managing some of the most popular series in gaming, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.

Let’s together in greeting him in the coming days. We are all looking forward to continue seeing the progress of Project ETHOS in the weeks to ahead.

David

Background of the New Leader

Brinkman presently serves in the role of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman previously was employed at major gaming companies in multiple development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Details and Concept

The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. At the time, 31st Union presented the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an innovative evolution on the category."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the description explains. "Challenge the competition with unique powers, risks, and challenges that change every match. Do you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Alternatively go big, gamble everything, and pray your squad can earn top ranking? The choice is up to you."

Project Ethos lacks an confirmed release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can anticipate additional details as production advances.