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The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the forthcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Change Follows Lukewarm Response

Brinkman assumes the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster unveiling last autumn.

Recently, 2K president a key figure informed staff about this strategic move through an internal memo, which emphasized that playtesting had shown the necessity for a clearer game identity.

Ismailer expressed that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a revised focus, aiming to satisfy player expectations.

A Pattern of Key Acquisitions

The news mirrors a comparable action taken by 2K Games in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to work on the BioShock development group.

Below is the entire message from the president's memo:

Team—

I know you all just finished your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Previously I sent you all a update, I stated the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most driven and creative developers we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re excited for that partnership to persist.”

Through your commitment and adaptability, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The community feedback from last fall’s the game testing phase was informative. It confirmed the potential of a action-packed game but indicated we still had work to do. It uncovered the necessity for a sharper identity.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the criticism to mind and overhauled the title with a renewed goal - one that’s ready to achieve its potential to our players.

The belief in Project ETHOS grows every day. To boost the incredible progress you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce the new hire as the incoming Studio Head of 31st Union. Following several months of discussions, Ben comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.

His guidance and expertise in the competitive gaming field is vast, having spent the last 15 years creating and overseeing some of the most well-known titles in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in greeting him soon. We are all excited to persist observing the evolution of the game in the months to ahead.

The President

Experience of the Incoming Head

The appointee currently serves in the position of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier worked at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Details and Concept

Project Ethos was unveiled in October 2024 in conjunction with a early access event. Then, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an exciting advancement on the genre."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in real-time to match your preferred approach," the description explains. "Face the competition with fresh skills, stakes, and obstacles that change every session. Will you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Or aim high, put it on the line, and trust your group can secure victory? The option is up to you."

Project Ethos lacks an official release date or supported systems, but players can expect further news as production continues.