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2K Games has welcomed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the forthcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Management Transition Follows Mixed Reception

The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the exit of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' underwhelming initial reveal last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer informed staff about this organizational change through an internal memo, which highlighted that playtesting had shown the necessity for a clearer vision.

Ismailer expressed that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a renewed focus, aiming to better meet player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Hires

This announcement mirrors a comparable move taken by 2K Games in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.

Here is the complete content from the president's memo:

Team—

I understand you all just finished your town hall - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the positive developments. Previously I sent you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most driven and creative designers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re eager for that partnership to endure.”

With your dedication and adaptability, particularly over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.

The player input from last fall’s the game playtest was informative. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had work to do. It uncovered the need for a more distinct brand.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You took the criticism to mind and revamped the title with a refreshed goal - one that’s poised to deliver on its potential to our players.

The belief in this project strengthens every day. To further the incredible progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome Ben Brinkman as the new Studio Head of 31st Union. After several months of talks, he starts with us on the specified date.

His guidance and background in the competitive gaming space is extensive, having dedicated the recent years developing and managing some of the most recognizable franchises in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.

Let’s together in welcoming Ben next week. We are all looking forward to continue observing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to follow.

David

Background of the Incoming Leader

The appointee presently serves in the position of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in various development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, earlier in his career, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Details and Concept

The upcoming game was announced in last year together with a public demo. Initially, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling 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 match your preferred approach," the game's pitch explains. "Take on the rivals with new abilities, stakes, and challenges that shift every round. Do you leave securely with your collected items? Or go big, gamble everything, and hope your group can achieve the highest spot? The decision is up to you."

The game does not have an confirmed debut schedule or platforms, but fans can expect more updates as creation continues.