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2K Games has welcomed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the development team at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Comes After Poor Response

Brinkman steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing initial reveal last autumn.

Recently, 2K president David Ismailer notified team members about this strategic move through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had indicated the necessity for a clearer vision.

The president noted that the developers is now reimagining the project with a renewed focus, aiming to satisfy community desires.

A Pattern of Key Acquisitions

The news mirrors a similar action taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the full message from the president's announcement:

Team—

I understand you all just wrapped up your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative creators we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to continue.”

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

The community feedback from last autumn’s the game demo was revealing. It validated the potential of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the need for a more distinct brand.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the input to consideration and overhauled Project ETHOS with a renewed goal - one that’s ready to fulfill its ambition to our players.

The trust in this project grows every day. To further the remarkable progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome the new hire as the new Studio Head of the team. After several months of discussions, Ben starts with us on next week.

Ben’s management and background in the competitive gaming genre is extensive, having dedicated the last 15 years developing and overseeing some of the most recognizable series in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in receiving Ben soon. We are all eager to continue observing the development of Project ETHOS in the weeks to follow.

David

Experience of the New Head

The appointee currently holds the position of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Details and Concept

The upcoming game was announced in last year alongside a public demo. Then, 31st Union described the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an innovative advancement on the style."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the description explains. "Challenge the opponents with unique powers, stakes, and tests that change every match. Will you leave securely with your collected items? Or take a risk, put it on the line, and hope your team can achieve the highest spot? The choice is in your hands."

The game does not have an announced release date or platforms, but players can look forward to more updates as development continues.