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2K Games has welcomed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the anticipated over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Follows Lukewarm Feedback

The new appointee steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's underwhelming early showing last autumn.

Recently, the company's top executive a key figure updated team members about this organizational change through an official communication, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had shown the need for a more defined direction.

The president noted that the team is now reimagining the project with a renewed vision, aiming to address community desires.

Trend of Key Hires

This announcement echoes a comparable move taken by 2K Games in August, when they hired an industry veteran from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.

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

Dear Team—

I understand you all just completed your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative designers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re looking forward for that relationship to continue.”

Through your commitment and flexibility, especially over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was revealing. It affirmed the promise of a action-packed game but made clear we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the requirement for a clearer vision.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the feedback to consideration and revamped the title with a revitalized direction - one that’s poised to deliver on its ambition to our fans.

The trust in Project ETHOS increases every day. To advance the outstanding advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce Ben Brinkman as the new Director of 31st Union. After several months of talks, Ben comes aboard us on the specified date.

His management and expertise in the competitive gaming genre is considerable, having dedicated the recent years creating and overseeing some of the most recognizable series in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.

Please join me in greeting him soon. We are all excited to keep observing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the months to come.

David

Experience of the Incoming Leader

The appointee currently serves in the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Concept

Project Ethos was unveiled in last year in conjunction with a early access event. Then, 31st Union presented the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative step forward 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 fit your unique tactics," the description states. "Take on the rivals with fresh skills, challenges, and tests that shift every session. Do you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Alternatively aim high, risk it all, and trust your group can earn top ranking? The decision is up to you."

The game does not have an confirmed debut schedule or platforms, but fans can anticipate further news as creation continues.