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2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift Follows Lukewarm Reception

The new appointee steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the exit of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' underwhelming unveiling last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer informed team members about this strategic move through an internal memo, which emphasized that playtesting had indicated the requirement for a clearer direction.

Ismailer expressed that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a revised focus, aiming to better meet community desires.

A Pattern of Key Recruitment

The news mirrors a comparable move taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to work on the BioShock development group.

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

Team—

I understand you all just wrapped up your town hall - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Last time I shared you all a message, I stated the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and creative creators we have had the pleasure to work with - and we’re eager for that partnership to endure.”

With your dedication and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The community feedback from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was enlightening. It confirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the need for a more distinct brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the input to heart and overhauled Project ETHOS with a refreshed direction - one that’s positioned to deliver on its ambition to our fans.

The belief in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To boost the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome the new hire as the latest Studio Head of 31st Union. Following some time of conversations, Ben comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.

His guidance and expertise in the competitive gaming space is considerable, having dedicated the recent years developing and overseeing some of the most recognizable franchises in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in welcoming Ben soon. We are all eager to keep witnessing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the time to follow.

David

Background of the New Leader

The appointee presently holds the role of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously worked at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, earlier in his career, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Concept

The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 in conjunction with a early access event. Initially, 31st Union described the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling advancement on the category."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the description states. "Take on the competition with new abilities, risks, and challenges that evolve every round. Do you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Alternatively aim high, put it on the line, and trust your group can secure victory? The choice is up to you."

The game does not have an official release date or platforms, but enthusiasts can expect additional details as creation progresses.