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2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the upcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Management Transition Follows Poor Reception

The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster early showing last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified team members about this organizational change through an internal memo, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had indicated the requirement for a distinct vision.

Ismailer noted that the developers is now reimagining the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to address community desires.

A Pattern of Key Hires

This announcement echoes a similar action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired an industry veteran from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.

Below is the entire text from Ismailer's announcement:

Dear Team—

I know you all just wrapped up your gathering - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most driven and creative creators we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to continue.”

Given your hard work and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS playtest was revealing. It validated the promise of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had work to do. It highlighted the necessity for a clearer brand.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the input to consideration and reimagined the title with a revitalized direction - one that’s positioned to deliver on its ambition to our audience.

The trust in this project strengthens every day. To advance the incredible progress you’ve made, I’m excited to announce Ben Brinkman as the latest Lead of the team. Following some time of talks, Ben comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s guidance and background in the competitive gaming space is extensive, having dedicated the recent years creating and managing some of the most recognizable series in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in receiving Ben in the coming days. We are all excited to persist seeing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to ahead.

David

Background of the Incoming Head

The appointee currently holds the role of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier worked at major gaming companies in multiple development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Details and Concept

The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. Then, 31st Union presented the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting advancement on the style."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch explains. "Face the rivals with new abilities, challenges, and tests that change every round. Do you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Alternatively aim high, gamble everything, and pray your group can achieve the highest spot? The decision is up to you."

The game lacks an announced release date or platforms, but enthusiasts can look forward to more updates as production continues.