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2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Change Follows Poor Response

Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing initial reveal last fall.

Recently, 2K president David Ismailer informed employees about this strategic move through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had revealed the requirement for a more defined vision.

The president stated that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a renewed approach, aiming to address community desires.

A Pattern of Key Hires

The news echoes a comparable action taken by 2K Games in August, when they hired an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the complete text from Ismailer's communication:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just wrapped up your meeting - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a update, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented creators we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that relationship to persist.”

With your dedication and adaptability, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s the game demo was informative. It confirmed the promise of a action-packed game but made clear we still had improvements to make. It revealed the necessity for a sharper brand.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the criticism to heart and overhauled Project ETHOS with a renewed vision - one that’s positioned to achieve its promise to our audience.

The trust in this project increases every day. To boost the incredible advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to announce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Director of 31st Union. Following several months of conversations, he officially joins us on Monday, October 20.

His management and experience in the competitive gaming field is extensive, having devoted the past decade and a half producing and managing some of the most well-known titles in the industry, for example the acclaimed shooter, and lately, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in greeting Ben next week. We are all eager to keep observing the development of the game in the weeks to come.

David

Experience of the New Head

The appointee currently holds the role of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Details and Concept

Project Ethos was announced in last year together with a community playtest. Initially, the developers described the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an thrilling evolution on the style."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the description states. "Take on the rivals with fresh skills, stakes, and challenges that shift every round. Will you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Or go big, put it on the line, and trust your team can earn top ranking? The choice is up to you."

Project Ethos has not yet received an confirmed launch window or consoles, but enthusiasts can expect additional details as production continues.