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2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently developing the forthcoming third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Leadership Shift Comes After Poor Response

The new appointee steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster early showing last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified team members about this decision through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had revealed the necessity for a clearer game identity.

Ismailer noted that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a refreshed vision, aiming to better meet gamer demands.

Trend of Strategic Hires

The news follows a similar action taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they brought on an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the full message from the president's communication:

Team—

I understand you all just completed your gathering - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Last time I shared you all a update, I expressed the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative creators we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that partnership to continue.”

Given your hard work and versatility, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s the game playtest was revealing. It confirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but indicated we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the requirement for a sharper vision.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the feedback to heart and revamped the title with a renewed vision - one that’s poised to deliver on its promise to our audience.

The belief in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To boost the remarkable development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of 31st Union. Following a period of conversations, Ben comes aboard us on the specified date.

Ben’s management and experience in the PVP shooter field is considerable, having devoted the recent years creating and overseeing some of the most popular franchises in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

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

The President

Experience of the New Head

Brinkman currently serves in the position of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, earlier in his career, had stints at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Vision

The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 together with a early access event. At the time, 31st Union presented the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative step forward on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to match your preferred approach," the official summary states. "Face the rivals with unique powers, challenges, and challenges that evolve every session. Do you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or go big, gamble everything, and trust your team can achieve the highest spot? The option is in your hands."

Project Ethos does not have an official debut schedule or platforms, but enthusiasts can anticipate further news as development continues.