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

Leadership Shift Follows Poor Reception

The new appointee assumes the role of studio head at 31st Union following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing early showing last fall.

Recently, 2K president a key figure notified staff about this strategic move through an internal memo, which emphasized that playtesting had indicated the requirement for a more defined vision.

The president stated that the developers is now refining the project with a revised vision, aiming to satisfy player expectations.

Trend of Strategic Acquisitions

The news echoes a similar action taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise development group.

Below is the full text from Ismailer's communication:

Dear Team—

I know you all just finished your meeting - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and talented creators we have had the chance to work with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to endure.”

Given your hard work and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The player input from last fall’s the game testing phase was enlightening. It confirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the need for a sharper brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the feedback to consideration and revamped the title with a revitalized vision - one that’s positioned to fulfill its ambition to our fans.

Our confidence in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To boost the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome the new hire as the latest Studio Head of 31st Union. Following some time of conversations, Ben starts with us on next week.

His management and expertise in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having devoted the past decade and a half developing and overseeing some of the most popular series in the industry, such as the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in welcoming Ben next week. We are all looking forward to keep seeing the development of Project ETHOS in the months to follow.

David

Background of the New Leader

The appointee currently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He earlier worked at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Information and Concept

The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 in conjunction with a early access event. Initially, 31st Union presented the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative evolution on the category."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the description reads. "Challenge the competition with unique powers, risks, and challenges that change every match. Do you leave securely with your collected items? Or go big, risk it all, and pray your team can secure victory? The choice is up to you."

The game has not yet received an official launch window or supported systems, but enthusiasts can look forward to further news as development continues.