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2K Games has welcomed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Transition Comes After Mixed Feedback

Brinkman takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster initial reveal last fall.

Recently, 2K president a key figure informed team members about this strategic move through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had indicated the necessity for a distinct game identity.

The president expressed that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a revised vision, aiming to better meet gamer demands.

A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions

This announcement follows a similar step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise development group.

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

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just completed your meeting - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Last time I shared you all a message, I stated the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and talented creators we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to continue.”

Through your commitment and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The community feedback from last autumn’s the game demo was informative. It affirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had refinements needed. It revealed the necessity for a clearer vision.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the input to mind and reimagined the title with a renewed goal - one that’s poised to deliver on its promise to our audience.

Our confidence in this project strengthens every day. To advance the remarkable advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of 31st Union. Following several months of discussions, Ben comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s management and experience in the PVP shooter space is vast, having spent the past decade and a half developing and leading some of the most well-known series in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in welcoming him soon. We are all looking forward to continue observing the progress of Project ETHOS in the weeks to come.

The President

Experience of the New Head

Brinkman currently serves in the position of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He previously worked at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Details and Vision

The upcoming game was unveiled in last year together with a public demo. Initially, the developers described the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative step forward on the genre."

"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 game's pitch explains. "Take on the competition with new abilities, stakes, and challenges that shift every match. Do you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Or take a risk, risk it all, and hope your team can achieve the highest spot? The decision is yours."

The game does not have an confirmed launch window or platforms, but players can expect more updates as production continues.