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The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Change Comes After Mixed Response

The new appointee assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' disappointing unveiling last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer updated employees about this strategic move through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had indicated the requirement for a clearer game identity.

The president expressed that the team is now refining the project with a revised approach, aiming to satisfy community desires.

A Pattern of Key Hires

This announcement mirrors a comparable move taken by the publisher in August, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the full message from the president's communication:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just finished your gathering - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a update, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and innovative creators we have had the chance to work with - and we’re excited for that relationship to continue.”

Given your hard work and adaptability, particularly over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.

The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was revealing. It confirmed the potential of a action-packed game but told us we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the requirement for a sharper brand.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the feedback to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a revitalized goal - one that’s poised to fulfill its promise to our audience.

Our confidence in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To advance the incredible advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce the new hire as the new Director of the team. Following several months of conversations, he comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s leadership and experience in the PVP shooter field is extensive, having devoted the recent years creating and leading some of the most well-known titles in the industry, such as the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in greeting him next week. We are all looking forward to keep observing the progress of Project ETHOS in the months to come.

David

Experience of the Incoming Head

Brinkman presently holds the position of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in various production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Vision

Project Ethos was unveiled in last year in conjunction with a public demo. Initially, 31st Union described the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an exciting evolution on the style."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch explains. "Take on the opponents with fresh skills, risks, and obstacles that shift every round. Will you leave securely with your collected items? Alternatively go big, risk it all, and pray your team can achieve the highest spot? The option is up to you."

Project Ethos does not have an official debut schedule or platforms, but enthusiasts can anticipate additional details as development continues.