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2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Comes After Lukewarm Response

Brinkman takes on the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster early showing last fall.

Recently, 2K president a key figure informed staff about this organizational change through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had revealed the necessity for a clearer direction.

Ismailer stated that the developers is now overhauling the project with a refreshed focus, aiming to address gamer demands.

Trend of Strategic Acquisitions

The news echoes a comparable move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the complete message from the president's announcement:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just completed your town hall - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a note, I expressed the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented developers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re eager for that partnership to endure.”

With your dedication and versatility, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was informative. It confirmed the promise of a action-packed game but indicated we still had work to do. It revealed the requirement for a more distinct brand.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the feedback to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a refreshed direction - one that’s poised to fulfill its potential to our audience.

The belief in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To advance the incredible development you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome the new hire as the new Lead of 31st Union. After some time of talks, Ben officially joins us on next week.

His management and expertise in the competitive gaming field is extensive, having devoted the past decade and a half creating and overseeing some of the most well-known series in gaming, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.

Please join me in receiving Ben next week. We are all excited to persist seeing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the months to ahead.

David

Background of the Incoming Leader

Brinkman presently serves in the position of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Vision

Project Ethos was unveiled in last year alongside a early access event. Then, the developers presented the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an innovative advancement on the style."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary states. "Challenge the opponents with new abilities, challenges, and obstacles that change every session. Do you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Alternatively go big, gamble everything, and trust your team can earn top ranking? The choice is yours."

Project Ethos does not have an announced debut schedule or consoles, but players can anticipate additional details as production advances.