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2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Follows Mixed Feedback

Brinkman steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster unveiling last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer updated team members about this strategic move through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had indicated the need for a distinct game identity.

The president stated that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a renewed approach, aiming to address gamer demands.

A Pattern of Key Hires

The news echoes a comparable step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the full text from Ismailer's announcement:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just wrapped up your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Last time I shared you all a update, I stated the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative creators we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to endure.”

Given your hard work and flexibility, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It affirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the need for a more distinct brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You took the feedback to mind and reimagined Project ETHOS with a revitalized goal - one that’s positioned to achieve its potential to our fans.

The belief in Project ETHOS increases every day. To boost the outstanding progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce Ben Brinkman as the latest Director of the team. After several months of conversations, he comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.

His management and background in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having devoted the recent years creating and leading some of the most popular series in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in receiving Ben next week. We are all excited to continue observing the evolution of the game in the weeks to ahead.

David

Experience of the New Leader

The appointee presently serves in the position of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously worked at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Information and Concept

Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 together with a early access event. At the time, 31st Union described the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an thrilling step forward on the category."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the official summary reads. "Challenge the competition with new abilities, stakes, and obstacles that shift every match. Do you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Or aim high, gamble everything, and trust your group can achieve the highest spot? The option is up to you."

Project Ethos does not have an confirmed debut schedule or consoles, but fans can look forward to further news as production advances.