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The renowned publisher has secured a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to direct the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Leadership Transition Comes After Lukewarm Feedback

Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster unveiling last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer updated team members about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had shown the requirement for a clearer vision.

Ismailer noted that the developers is now refining the project with a revised vision, aiming to satisfy community desires.

Trend of Strategic Recruitment

The news follows a similar move taken by 2K Games in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the full text from the president's announcement:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just wrapped up your gathering - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Previously I shared you all a update, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most driven and talented developers we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to endure.”

With your dedication and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The player input from last fall’s the game demo was revealing. It confirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but made clear we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the requirement for a more distinct brand.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the feedback to consideration and reimagined the title with a refreshed goal - one that’s poised to achieve its potential to our audience.

The trust in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To further the outstanding progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce the new hire as the new Director of 31st Union. Following a period of talks, he starts with us on next week.

Ben’s guidance and background in the PVP shooter field is considerable, having devoted the recent years creating and managing some of the most recognizable titles in the industry, for example the acclaimed shooter, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in greeting him next week. We are all looking forward to continue witnessing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the months to come.

David

Experience of the Incoming Leader

Brinkman presently holds the position of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had periods at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Vision

The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. At the time, the developers described the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an exciting evolution on the genre."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch states. "Challenge the opponents with new abilities, stakes, and tests that shift every session. Do you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Or aim high, put it on the line, and hope your squad can earn top ranking? The decision is in your hands."

The game has not yet received an announced debut schedule or supported systems, but enthusiasts can look forward to more updates as creation continues.