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The renowned publisher has welcomed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the forthcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Change Comes After Lukewarm Feedback

The new appointee steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing early showing last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer informed staff about this strategic move through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had indicated the requirement for a distinct game identity.

The president noted that the team is now refining the project with a renewed focus, aiming to address gamer demands.

A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions

This announcement follows a comparable move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on an industry veteran from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the complete content from the president's communication:

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just finished your town hall - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a update, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative designers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re excited for that partnership to persist.”

Given your hard work and versatility, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was informative. It confirmed the potential of a action-packed game but made clear we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the need for a clearer identity.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the criticism to consideration and reimagined Project ETHOS with a refreshed goal - one that’s ready to fulfill its potential to our fans.

The trust in this project strengthens every day. To advance the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to announce Ben Brinkman as the latest Lead of the team. After some time of talks, he comes aboard us on next week.

His guidance and background in the PVP shooter field is vast, having spent the recent years creating and managing some of the most well-known franchises in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and lately, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in greeting him next week. We are all excited to persist seeing the evolution of the game in the time to follow.

David

Experience of the Incoming Head

The appointee currently holds the position of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Details and Vision

The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 alongside a public demo. Initially, 31st Union presented the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an thrilling evolution on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the description reads. "Challenge the rivals with new abilities, risks, and challenges that change every session. Do you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Or take a risk, risk it all, and pray your group can secure victory? The decision is up to you."

The game does not have an confirmed debut schedule or platforms, but enthusiasts can anticipate further news as creation advances.