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The renowned publisher has welcomed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Transition Follows Mixed Reception

The new appointee takes on the leadership position at 31st Union following the departure of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming initial reveal last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure updated employees about this decision through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had indicated the requirement for a distinct game identity.

The president stated that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a refreshed focus, aiming to address player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions

The news mirrors a similar step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

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

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just finished your meeting - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and talented creators we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re eager for that partnership to endure.”

Through your commitment and versatility, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was enlightening. It validated the appeal of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the necessity for a clearer identity.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the input to heart and overhauled the title with a revitalized direction - one that’s positioned to deliver on its potential to our audience.

The trust in this project increases every day. To further the remarkable advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome the new hire as the new Studio Head of 31st Union. After several months of discussions, Ben starts with us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s management and background in the PVP shooter space is vast, having spent the last 15 years creating and managing some of the most popular series in the industry, such as the acclaimed shooter, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in greeting him next week. We are all excited to keep witnessing the evolution of the game in the months to come.

The President

Experience of the New Leader

Brinkman currently holds the position of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, before that, had stints at other industry leaders.

Title Information and Concept

Project Ethos was announced in last year together with a community playtest. At the time, 31st Union presented the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative advancement on the style."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the description reads. "Take on the rivals with fresh skills, challenges, and obstacles that change every session. Do you leave securely with your collected items? Alternatively aim high, put it on the line, and hope your team can achieve the highest spot? The decision is up to you."

The game does not have an official release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can anticipate further news as production progresses.