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2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Change Follows Mixed Response

The new appointee steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's underwhelming unveiling last fall.

Recently, 2K president a key figure informed staff about this strategic move through an internal memo, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had indicated the need for a distinct game identity.

Ismailer stated that the team is now overhauling the project with a revised approach, aiming to satisfy player expectations.

Trend of Key Acquisitions

This announcement echoes a comparable action taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

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

Dear Team—

I understand you all just wrapped up your meeting - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a message, I stated the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most driven and talented creators we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to endure.”

Through your commitment and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was informative. It affirmed the potential of a action-packed game but told us we still had work to do. It revealed the necessity for a more distinct identity.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the feedback to mind and overhauled the title with a revitalized direction - one that’s ready to achieve its ambition to our audience.

The belief in this project grows every day. To advance the outstanding progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce the new hire as the new Lead of 31st Union. After a period of conversations, Ben starts with us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s management and background in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having spent the last 15 years producing and managing some of the most well-known franchises in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in greeting him next week. We are all eager to continue observing the development of Project ETHOS in the time to come.

The President

Experience of the New Head

The appointee currently serves in the role of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously worked at major gaming companies in various development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, before that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Vision

Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. Initially, the developers presented the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling step forward on the genre."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in real-time to match your preferred approach," the game's pitch reads. "Face the opponents with unique powers, stakes, and tests that shift every match. Will you leave securely with your collected items? Or aim high, risk it all, and pray your team can earn top ranking? The decision is up to you."

Project Ethos has not yet received an official debut schedule or supported systems, but enthusiasts can anticipate more updates as production progresses.