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2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the development team at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Comes After Poor Response

Brinkman takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing unveiling last fall.

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

The president stated that the developers is now refining the project with a renewed vision, aiming to satisfy community desires.

A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions

This announcement echoes a similar step taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to contribute to the BioShock development group.

Below is the entire text from the president's communication:

Team—

I know you all just wrapped up your gathering - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and talented developers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to endure.”

Through your commitment and adaptability, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s the game playtest was enlightening. It confirmed the potential of a action-packed game but indicated we still had work to do. It highlighted the necessity for a clearer brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You took the input to consideration and overhauled Project ETHOS with a refreshed direction - one that’s positioned to fulfill its ambition to our audience.

Our confidence in this project strengthens every day. To further the remarkable advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to announce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of the team. After some time of conversations, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20.

His management and expertise in the PVP shooter field is considerable, having devoted the past decade and a half developing and leading some of the most popular franchises in the industry, for example the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in greeting Ben soon. We are all looking forward to continue seeing the progress of the game in the time to ahead.

The President

Experience of the New Leader

The appointee currently serves in the position of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He earlier was employed at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had periods at other industry leaders.

Title Details and Vision

The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. Initially, 31st Union described the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative step forward on the category."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the official summary reads. "Take on the rivals with unique powers, challenges, and obstacles that shift every round. Do you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively take a risk, gamble everything, and pray your group can earn top ranking? The option is up to you."

Project Ethos has not yet received an confirmed launch window or consoles, but enthusiasts can look forward to further news as production continues.