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2K Games has secured a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the development team at their internal studio, which is currently working on the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift Comes After Lukewarm Response

Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster early showing last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure updated employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had shown the necessity for a clearer direction.

Ismailer expressed that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a revised approach, aiming to address player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions

The news mirrors a similar action taken by 2K Games in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the BioShock development group.

Below is the full message from Ismailer's communication:

Team—

I understand you all just completed your town hall - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a note, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and talented designers we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to persist.”

Through your commitment and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s the game playtest was informative. It validated the appeal of a action-packed game but indicated we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the requirement for a sharper identity.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You embraced the input to heart and revamped Project ETHOS with a refreshed goal - one that’s ready to achieve its ambition to our players.

Our confidence in this project strengthens every day. To boost the incredible progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of 31st Union. After a period of conversations, Ben starts with us on Monday, October 20.

His guidance and expertise in the PVP shooter genre is vast, having devoted the recent years producing and overseeing some of the most recognizable franchises in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in welcoming Ben next week. We are all eager to keep observing the evolution of the game in the months to ahead.

The President

Background of the Incoming Head

Brinkman currently serves in the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman previously was employed at major gaming companies in various development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Details and Vision

Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 together with a community playtest. At the time, the developers presented the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an innovative advancement on the category."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch states. "Challenge the opponents with unique powers, stakes, and tests that shift every round. Do you safely extract with your collected items? Or aim high, put it on the line, and hope your squad can achieve the highest spot? The option is up to you."

The game does not have an announced launch window or platforms, but players can expect further news as creation advances.