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The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the anticipated over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift Follows Mixed Feedback

The new appointee assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing initial reveal last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified employees about this strategic move through an internal memo, which highlighted that playtesting had shown the need for a clearer direction.

The president expressed that the developers is now refining the project with a revised vision, aiming to better meet gamer demands.

Trend of Strategic Acquisitions

This announcement mirrors a comparable action taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the full content from Ismailer's communication:

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just finished your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative designers we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to persist.”

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

The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS playtest was informative. It affirmed the potential of a action-packed game but told us we still had improvements to make. It revealed the requirement for a clearer identity.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the input to heart and overhauled Project ETHOS with a renewed goal - one that’s positioned to deliver on its promise to our fans.

The belief in Project ETHOS grows every day. To boost the outstanding development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome the new hire as the latest Director of 31st Union. After some time of talks, he comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.

His guidance and background in the PVP shooter space is considerable, having devoted the past decade and a half developing and overseeing some of the most popular franchises in the industry, such as the acclaimed shooter, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in welcoming Ben soon. We are all eager to persist observing the progress of Project ETHOS in the time to follow.

The President

Experience of the New Leader

Brinkman currently serves in the position of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously was employed at major gaming companies in multiple development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Vision

Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. Then, the developers portrayed the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an thrilling advancement on the style."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary explains. "Take on the competition with unique powers, risks, and obstacles that evolve every match. Do you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Or go big, gamble everything, and hope your team can secure victory? The option is yours."

The game has not yet received an official release date or platforms, but enthusiasts can expect additional details as production advances.