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2K Games has welcomed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the forthcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Change Follows Mixed Response

Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the exit of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing initial reveal last autumn.

Recently, the company's top executive a key figure notified staff about this organizational change through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had indicated the requirement for a distinct game identity.

The president expressed that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a renewed focus, aiming to address player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Hires

This announcement follows a similar step taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.

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

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just finished your meeting - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a note, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most driven and talented designers we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to persist.”

With your dedication and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS playtest was enlightening. It affirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but indicated we still had improvements to make. It revealed the necessity for a clearer vision.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the feedback to consideration and overhauled the title with a refreshed goal - one that’s poised to fulfill its potential to our fans.

Our confidence in Project ETHOS increases every day. To boost the incredible development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of the team. After several months of conversations, Ben officially joins us on the specified date.

Ben’s leadership and experience in the PVP shooter field is considerable, having devoted the recent years developing and leading some of the most popular titles in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in welcoming Ben next week. We are all looking forward to persist seeing the development of the game in the time to ahead.

The President

Experience of the Incoming Head

Brinkman presently holds the position of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at major gaming companies in various development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.

Title Details and Vision

Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a early access event. At the time, the developers portrayed the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting evolution on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to match your preferred approach," the description reads. "Challenge the opponents with unique powers, risks, and challenges that shift every match. Will you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively aim high, gamble everything, and trust your team can achieve the highest spot? The decision is in your hands."

The game does not have an announced launch window or platforms, but fans can anticipate further news as production advances.