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2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift Follows Mixed Response

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

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure informed team members about this decision through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had revealed the requirement for a clearer vision.

Ismailer stated that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a revised vision, aiming to better meet gamer demands.

A Pattern of Key Hires

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

Here is the entire message from Ismailer's communication:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just finished your gathering - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Last time I shared you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and innovative developers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to persist.”

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

The player input from last autumn’s the game playtest was enlightening. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had work to do. It uncovered the necessity for a sharper vision.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the feedback to consideration and reimagined the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s poised to deliver on its promise to our audience.

The trust in Project ETHOS grows every day. To advance the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce the new hire as the incoming Director of 31st Union. After several months of conversations, Ben officially joins us on the specified date.

His guidance and background in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having spent the last 15 years developing and overseeing some of the most popular titles in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in receiving him in the coming days. We are all looking forward to keep seeing the progress of the game in the weeks to follow.

David

Background of the New Leader

Brinkman currently holds the position of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier was employed at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, before that, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Concept

Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. Then, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an exciting step forward on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to match your preferred approach," the game's pitch explains. "Take on the rivals with unique powers, risks, and challenges that evolve every session. Will you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Alternatively take a risk, put it on the line, and trust your team can earn top ranking? The choice is in your hands."

The game has not yet received an announced release date or platforms, but enthusiasts can expect further news as production progresses.