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2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Change Comes After Mixed Feedback

Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the exit of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster initial reveal last fall.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure informed employees about this strategic move through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had indicated the requirement for a clearer vision.

The president noted that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a renewed vision, aiming to satisfy player expectations.

Trend of Strategic Recruitment

This announcement mirrors a comparable move taken by the publisher in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the entire content from Ismailer's communication:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just completed your town hall - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a message, I stated the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and creative designers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re excited for that partnership to continue.”

Through your commitment and versatility, especially over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s the game demo was revealing. It validated the appeal of a action-packed game but told us we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the need for a clearer identity.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the input to mind and revamped the title with a renewed direction - one that’s poised to achieve its promise to our players.

The trust in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To further the remarkable development you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome the new hire as the new Studio Head of 31st Union. After several months of talks, he comes aboard us on next week.

His guidance and expertise in the PVP shooter space is vast, having devoted the past decade and a half creating and managing some of the most recognizable series in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.

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

David

Experience of the Incoming Leader

Brinkman currently serves in the role of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Information and Concept

The upcoming game was unveiled in last year alongside a public demo. At the time, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative advancement on the genre."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to match your preferred approach," the game's pitch reads. "Face the competition with fresh skills, risks, and tests that evolve every session. Will you leave securely with your collected items? Alternatively go big, put it on the line, and pray your group can secure victory? The option is in your hands."

The game lacks an announced release date or consoles, but enthusiasts can expect additional details as creation continues.