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The renowned publisher has welcomed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the forthcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Transition Comes After Lukewarm Reception

Brinkman steps into 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 the game's lackluster initial reveal last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer informed employees about this strategic move through an internal memo, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had revealed the need for a distinct direction.

Ismailer expressed that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a revised focus, aiming to address gamer demands.

A Pattern of Strategic Hires

The news follows a comparable move taken by 2K Games in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the complete content from the president's memo:

Dear Team—

I know you all just completed your gathering - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and innovative designers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that relationship to continue.”

With your dedication and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The player input from last fall’s the game demo was enlightening. It affirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but indicated we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the need for a sharper brand.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the criticism to consideration and overhauled Project ETHOS with a revitalized direction - one that’s poised to fulfill its potential to our audience.

Our confidence in Project ETHOS grows every day. To advance the outstanding progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome the new hire as the new Lead of the team. After a period of conversations, Ben starts with us on next week.

Ben’s guidance and expertise in the PVP shooter space is considerable, having dedicated the recent years developing and managing some of the most recognizable titles in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in greeting Ben next week. We are all looking forward to continue seeing the progress of the game in the months to follow.

The President

Background of the Incoming Leader

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 Call of Duty series, and, before that, had stints at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Vision

The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. Then, the developers described the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting advancement on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the description states. "Take on the competition with new abilities, stakes, and obstacles that evolve every match. Will you safely extract with your collected items? Or go big, put it on the line, and trust your team can earn top ranking? The option is up to you."

The game does not have an announced release date or supported systems, but players can look forward to additional details as development continues.