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The renowned publisher has secured a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the development team at their internal studio, which is currently working on the forthcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Comes After Mixed Reception

The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster initial reveal last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure updated employees about this decision through an internal memo, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had revealed the requirement for a clearer vision.

Ismailer noted that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to address player expectations.

A Pattern of Key Hires

The news follows a similar step taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

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

Team—

I know you all just finished your gathering - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a note, I stated the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most driven and talented creators we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to endure.”

With your dedication and versatility, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The community feedback from last autumn’s Project ETHOS playtest was enlightening. It validated the potential of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had refinements needed. It revealed the necessity for a more distinct identity.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the feedback to consideration and reimagined the title with a revitalized vision - one that’s positioned to achieve its ambition to our players.

Our confidence in this project grows every day. To further the incredible progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome Ben Brinkman as the new Director of the team. Following several months of conversations, he comes aboard us on next week.

Ben’s guidance and expertise in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having devoted the past decade and a half creating and leading some of the most popular series in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.

Please join me in receiving him in the coming days. We are all looking forward to keep witnessing the progress of the game in the time to come.

The President

Background of the New Head

The appointee presently holds the position of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Details and Concept

Project Ethos was unveiled in October 2024 together with a community playtest. At the time, 31st Union presented the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative evolution on the category."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch states. "Take on the opponents with fresh skills, risks, and obstacles that change every session. Do you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or take a risk, put it on the line, and hope your group can achieve the highest spot? The option is in your hands."

The game does not have an official launch window or platforms, but enthusiasts can expect further news as creation advances.