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2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently developing the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Follows Poor Response

Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's underwhelming early showing last autumn.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified team members about this decision through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had shown the necessity for a distinct vision.

The president noted that the team is now reimagining the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to satisfy community desires.

Trend of Key Hires

The news mirrors a similar step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the full text from Ismailer's announcement:

Team—

I understand you all just wrapped up your gathering - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a update, I stated the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented designers we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that relationship to persist.”

With your dedication and adaptability, especially over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.

The community feedback from last fall’s the game demo was revealing. It affirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had work to do. It revealed the requirement for a clearer brand.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the input to mind and reimagined Project ETHOS with a revitalized direction - one that’s poised to fulfill its promise to our audience.

The belief in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To advance the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce Ben Brinkman as the new Studio Head of the team. Following a period of discussions, Ben starts with us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s guidance and expertise in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having dedicated the past decade and a half creating and managing some of the most well-known series in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in welcoming him soon. We are all excited to continue witnessing the progress of the game in the months to ahead.

David

Background of the Incoming Leader

Brinkman presently serves in the position of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had periods at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Vision

The upcoming game was unveiled in last year alongside a public demo. Then, the developers portrayed the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting evolution on the style."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in real-time to match your preferred approach," the game's pitch explains. "Challenge the competition with new abilities, stakes, and obstacles that evolve every round. Will you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Or aim high, put it on the line, and trust your group can earn top ranking? The option is in your hands."

Project Ethos does not have an official debut schedule or platforms, but players can look forward to additional details as creation progresses.