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2K Games has secured a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the forthcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Transition Follows Lukewarm Feedback

Brinkman assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster unveiling last fall.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer informed staff about this decision through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had revealed the necessity for a clearer direction.

Ismailer expressed that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a renewed approach, aiming to satisfy player expectations.

A Pattern of Key Acquisitions

The news follows a similar step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.

Below is the complete message from the president's memo:

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just wrapped up your town hall - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative creators we have had the pleasure to work with - and we’re looking forward for that relationship to continue.”

With your dedication and versatility, especially over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The community feedback from last fall’s Project ETHOS playtest was enlightening. It confirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had work to do. It highlighted the need for a sharper identity.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the input to consideration and revamped Project ETHOS with a refreshed direction - one that’s positioned to achieve its potential to our players.

The trust in this project strengthens every day. To advance the incredible development you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce the new hire as the incoming Studio Head of the team. Following several months of conversations, Ben comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s leadership and expertise in the PVP shooter field is extensive, having spent the past decade and a half creating and overseeing some of the most well-known titles in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in greeting him soon. We are all looking forward to continue witnessing the progress of Project ETHOS in the months to ahead.

David

Experience of the Incoming Head

Brinkman currently holds the role of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had periods at other industry leaders.

Title Details and Concept

Project Ethos was unveiled in last year together with a community playtest. At the time, the developers presented the game 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 live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch explains. "Face the rivals with unique powers, stakes, and obstacles that shift every round. Will you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively aim high, risk it all, and trust your squad can earn top ranking? The option is up to you."

The game lacks an official debut schedule or supported systems, but fans can expect additional details as production advances.