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2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the anticipated over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Change Follows Mixed Feedback

Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the exit of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster unveiling last fall.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure informed team members about this organizational change through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had revealed the necessity for a distinct game identity.

Ismailer stated that the developers is now refining the project with a revised vision, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.

Trend of Key Acquisitions

The news echoes a similar action taken by 2K Games in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to work on the BioShock development group.

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

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just finished your meeting - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative designers we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re excited for that partnership to continue.”

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

The community feedback from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was enlightening. It validated the appeal of a action-packed game but made clear we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the requirement for a more distinct identity.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the feedback to consideration and reimagined the title with a refreshed goal - one that’s positioned to fulfill its potential to our fans.

Our confidence in Project ETHOS increases every day. To boost the incredible advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of the team. After several months of conversations, he comes aboard us on next week.

Ben’s management and experience in the competitive gaming space is vast, having dedicated the recent years producing and managing some of the most well-known series in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.

Please join me in greeting Ben in the coming days. We are all excited to persist witnessing the progress of Project ETHOS in the time to follow.

The President

Experience of the Incoming Head

The appointee currently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier worked at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Details and Vision

Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. Then, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling step forward on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch states. "Face the opponents with fresh skills, stakes, and tests that shift every session. Do you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively take a risk, put it on the line, and trust your squad can earn top ranking? The option is in your hands."

Project Ethos has not yet received an announced launch window or platforms, but enthusiasts can look forward to more updates as creation advances.