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The renowned publisher has welcomed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Transition Follows Lukewarm Reception

The new appointee assumes the leadership position at 31st Union following the exit of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's underwhelming early showing last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure informed staff about this organizational change through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had revealed the requirement for a distinct direction.

Ismailer noted that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to address gamer demands.

A Pattern of Key Hires

This announcement echoes a comparable move taken by the publisher in August, when they hired an industry veteran from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.

Below is the entire text from Ismailer's communication:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just completed your town hall - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a update, I expressed the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and creative developers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re eager for that relationship to continue.”

With your dedication and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The player input from last fall’s the game demo was enlightening. It affirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the necessity for a more distinct vision.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the criticism to mind and reimagined Project ETHOS with a refreshed goal - one that’s positioned to deliver on its ambition to our audience.

The belief in Project ETHOS increases every day. To advance the outstanding development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce the new hire as the incoming Studio Head of 31st Union. Following several months of conversations, he starts with us on the specified date.

Ben’s management and expertise in the competitive gaming genre is extensive, having dedicated the last 15 years developing and overseeing some of the most well-known titles in gaming, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.

Let’s together in receiving him soon. We are all excited to keep observing the development of Project ETHOS in the weeks to come.

The President

Experience of the Incoming Head

Brinkman presently serves in the role of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier was employed at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had periods at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Vision

The upcoming game was revealed in last year alongside a community playtest. Initially, the developers described the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person 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 live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the description explains. "Face the rivals with new abilities, risks, and obstacles that shift every round. Do you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Or go big, risk it all, and hope your group can secure victory? The option is in your hands."

The game lacks an announced launch window or consoles, but enthusiasts can expect further news as development progresses.