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2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently developing the forthcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Management Transition Follows Lukewarm Reception

Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster unveiling last fall.

Recently, 2K president a key figure informed team members about this decision through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had shown the need for a distinct direction.

Ismailer noted that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to address community desires.

A Pattern of Key Acquisitions

This announcement mirrors a similar step taken by 2K Games in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to work on the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

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

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just wrapped up your town hall - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a note, I expressed the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and talented designers we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that partnership to persist.”

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

The gamer responses from last autumn’s the game playtest was informative. It affirmed the potential of a action-packed game but indicated we still had work to do. It highlighted the requirement for a sharper identity.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the input to mind and revamped the title with a revitalized vision - one that’s poised to achieve its ambition to our players.

The trust in this project strengthens every day. To advance the outstanding progress you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Director of the team. Following a period of conversations, Ben starts with us on the specified date.

His guidance and background in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having dedicated the recent years creating and overseeing some of the most well-known titles in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in welcoming Ben in the coming days. We are all looking forward to keep observing the development of the game in the weeks to follow.

The President

Background of the New Leader

The appointee currently holds the role of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had periods at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Vision

Project Ethos was announced in last year in conjunction with a public demo. Then, the developers described the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative evolution on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch states. "Face the opponents with new abilities, challenges, and tests that change every session. Will you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Or aim high, put it on the line, and hope your squad can secure victory? The decision is up to you."

The game does not have an official debut schedule or consoles, but players can anticipate further news as production continues.