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The renowned publisher has welcomed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Leadership Transition Comes After Lukewarm Reception

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

Recently, 2K president a key figure updated employees about this strategic move through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had revealed the need for a more defined game identity.

The president expressed that the team is now refining the project with a revised approach, aiming to address player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Hires

This announcement echoes a similar step taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the entire message from the president's announcement:

Team—

I understand you all just wrapped up your meeting - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Previously I sent you all a message, I stated the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and creative designers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that relationship 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 testing phase was enlightening. It validated the potential of a action-packed game but indicated we still had refinements needed. It revealed the necessity for a sharper vision.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the criticism to mind and reimagined the title with a revitalized goal - one that’s poised to fulfill its potential to our audience.

The belief in this project increases every day. To advance the outstanding progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce the new hire as the latest Director of 31st Union. After several months of discussions, he starts with us on next week.

Ben’s management and experience in the PVP shooter genre is vast, having devoted the past decade and a half producing and managing some of the most well-known series in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in welcoming Ben in the coming days. We are all looking forward to keep seeing the development of Project ETHOS in the weeks to ahead.

The President

Experience of the Incoming Head

The appointee currently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously was employed at major gaming companies in various production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had periods at other industry leaders.

Title Details and Concept

The upcoming game was revealed in last year alongside a early access event. At the time, the developers presented the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative step forward on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch reads. "Face the rivals with unique powers, stakes, and obstacles that change every round. Do you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Or take a risk, put it on the line, and hope your team can earn top ranking? The option is up to you."

Project Ethos lacks an confirmed debut schedule or consoles, but fans can look forward to additional details as production continues.