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2K Games has welcomed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Management Change Follows Mixed Reception

The new appointee assumes the role of studio head at 31st Union following the exit of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming unveiling last autumn.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer updated employees about this decision through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had indicated the need for a more defined direction.

The president expressed that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a renewed focus, aiming to better meet community desires.

A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions

The news mirrors a comparable move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the beloved franchise development group.

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

Team—

I know you all just wrapped up your meeting - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most driven and innovative developers we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to endure.”

With your dedication and adaptability, particularly over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.

The player input from last fall’s the game demo was enlightening. It validated the promise of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had work to do. It revealed the need for a more distinct brand.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You took the input to heart and revamped the title with a renewed vision - one that’s ready to fulfill its potential to our audience.

The belief in Project ETHOS increases every day. To advance the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of the team. After several months of conversations, Ben officially joins us on the specified date.

Ben’s leadership and expertise in the PVP shooter space is vast, having dedicated the recent years developing and leading some of the most popular series in gaming, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.

Let’s together in welcoming Ben in the coming days. We are all eager to persist observing the evolution of the game in the months to follow.

The President

Experience of the Incoming Leader

The appointee presently holds the position of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, prior to that, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Title Information and Vision

Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 together with a community playtest. Initially, 31st Union described the game as a "no-cost, 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 real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the description states. "Challenge the opponents with fresh skills, stakes, and obstacles that change every round. Do you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Or take a risk, gamble everything, and hope your squad can achieve the highest spot? The choice is up to you."

The game has not yet received an confirmed release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can anticipate further news as development continues.