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The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the development team at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Leadership Change Follows Mixed Feedback

Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the exit of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing initial reveal last fall.

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

Ismailer noted that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a renewed focus, aiming to address player expectations.

A Pattern of Key Hires

This announcement echoes a similar step taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.

Below is the complete text from the president's memo:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just completed your town hall - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Previously I sent you all a message, I stated the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative designers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to endure.”

Through your commitment and versatility, especially over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS playtest was informative. It affirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had refinements needed. It revealed the need for a clearer brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the input to mind and reimagined Project ETHOS with a refreshed direction - one that’s positioned to deliver on its potential to our players.

Our confidence in this project strengthens every day. To further the remarkable development you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of 31st Union. After a period of discussions, Ben starts with us on the specified date.

His guidance and experience in the competitive gaming space is vast, having dedicated the recent years creating and overseeing some of the most popular titles in the industry, such as the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in greeting him next week. We are all looking forward to keep witnessing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the time to ahead.

The President

Experience of the Incoming Head

Brinkman presently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had periods at other industry leaders.

Title Details and Vision

The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 in conjunction with a early access event. Initially, the developers described the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an innovative advancement on the category."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch states. "Challenge the competition with fresh skills, stakes, and tests that change every match. Do you safely extract with your collected items? Or aim high, put it on the line, and pray your group can secure victory? The decision is in your hands."

The game does not have an announced release date or consoles, but enthusiasts can expect additional details as development advances.