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The renowned publisher has welcomed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the development team at their internal studio, which is currently working on the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Change Comes After Mixed Response

Brinkman steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's disappointing unveiling last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure informed team members about this strategic move through an official communication, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had revealed the need for a distinct game identity.

Ismailer noted that the team is now overhauling the project with a renewed vision, aiming to satisfy player expectations.

Trend of Strategic Recruitment

The news mirrors a similar action taken by 2K Games in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to work on the BioShock development group.

Below is the complete text from Ismailer's announcement:

Dear Team—

I know you all just completed your meeting - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and creative designers we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to endure.”

With your dedication and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The player input from last autumn’s the game testing phase was enlightening. It confirmed the promise of a action-packed game but told us we still had refinements needed. It revealed the need for a sharper identity.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the feedback to consideration and reimagined the title with a renewed direction - one that’s positioned to deliver on its ambition to our fans.

The belief in this project grows every day. To advance the incredible advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome the new hire as the incoming Studio Head of 31st Union. After some time of conversations, Ben comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s leadership and background in the PVP shooter space is vast, having devoted the last 15 years developing and leading some of the most well-known franchises in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.

Let’s together in welcoming him soon. We are all excited to keep seeing the development of Project ETHOS in the time to ahead.

The President

Background of the Incoming Head

Brinkman currently holds the position of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Vision

The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. Initially, 31st Union presented the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting evolution 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 description reads. "Take on the competition with new abilities, stakes, and challenges that evolve every round. Do you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Or go big, gamble everything, and trust your group can secure victory? The option is in your hands."

Project Ethos does not have an official release date or consoles, but enthusiasts can anticipate additional details as creation advances.