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2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Management Change Follows Mixed Feedback

The new appointee assumes 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' lackluster unveiling last autumn.

Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer updated employees about this decision through an internal memo, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had shown the requirement for a distinct direction.

The president noted that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to better meet gamer demands.

Trend of Key Recruitment

The news echoes a similar action taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the entire text from the president's communication:

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just completed your gathering - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Previously I shared you all a update, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and talented designers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re looking forward for that relationship to endure.”

Given your hard work and adaptability, especially over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The player input from last fall’s the game playtest was revealing. It affirmed the promise of a action-packed game but indicated we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the necessity for a clearer vision.

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

The belief in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the remarkable progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce the new hire as the latest Studio Head of 31st Union. Following a period of discussions, Ben starts with us on next week.

Ben’s leadership and background in the PVP shooter genre is considerable, having spent the past decade and a half developing and overseeing some of the most well-known franchises in the industry, such as the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in receiving him next week. We are all eager to keep observing the evolution of the game in the months to follow.

The President

Experience of the New Head

Brinkman presently serves in the position of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in various development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Information and Vision

The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 together with a public demo. Then, the developers presented the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative step forward on the category."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to match your preferred approach," the game's pitch reads. "Challenge the competition with new abilities, challenges, and challenges that evolve every match. Will you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively go big, put it on the line, and hope your squad can achieve the highest spot? The choice is in your hands."

Project Ethos lacks an announced debut schedule or consoles, but players can look forward to further news as development progresses.