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The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the forthcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Transition Comes After Mixed Feedback

The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster early showing last fall.

Recently, 2K president David Ismailer updated employees about this decision through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had shown the necessity for a clearer direction.

Ismailer expressed that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a refreshed focus, aiming to address community desires.

Trend of Key Recruitment

This announcement mirrors a comparable move taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the complete text from Ismailer's communication:

Dear Team—

I know you all just wrapped up your meeting - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a message, I stated the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative creators we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to endure.”

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

The community feedback from last autumn’s the game playtest was informative. It confirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but made clear we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the need for a sharper brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You took the criticism to mind and reimagined the title with a revitalized direction - one that’s poised to achieve its ambition to our players.

The belief in Project ETHOS increases every day. To advance the outstanding progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome the new hire as the latest Director of the team. Following several months of discussions, Ben comes aboard us on the specified date.

Ben’s guidance and experience in the PVP shooter genre is considerable, having spent the recent years creating and managing some of the most well-known series in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in welcoming Ben next week. We are all excited to persist seeing the progress of Project ETHOS in the time to follow.

The President

Experience of the New Head

The appointee currently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Information and Vision

Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. Initially, 31st Union described the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative advancement on the category."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the official summary reads. "Take on the competition with unique powers, risks, and challenges that shift every session. Do you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Or take a risk, risk it all, and hope your team can earn top ranking? The decision is up to you."

The game has not yet received an confirmed release date or consoles, but fans can expect more updates as production advances.