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2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Change Comes After Poor Response

The new appointee takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' disappointing unveiling last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure informed team members about this organizational change through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had shown the necessity for a more defined direction.

The president noted that the team is now overhauling the project with a revised focus, aiming to satisfy community desires.

Trend of Key Acquisitions

This announcement follows a comparable action taken by 2K Games in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the full message from the president's communication:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just completed your gathering - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Previously I sent you all a update, I expressed the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and creative creators we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that relationship to persist.”

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

The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS playtest was informative. It confirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had work to do. It highlighted the need for a clearer brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the criticism to heart and revamped Project ETHOS with a revitalized vision - one that’s ready to achieve its promise to our audience.

Our confidence in this project grows every day. To further the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome Ben Brinkman as the new Director of the team. After some time of talks, Ben starts with us on the specified date.

Ben’s management and background in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having dedicated the last 15 years producing and leading some of the most recognizable franchises in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in receiving Ben soon. We are all eager to keep seeing the progress of the game in the months to come.

The President

Experience of the New Leader

The appointee currently holds the position of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier worked at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Title Details and Concept

The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. At the time, the developers portrayed the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting advancement on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary reads. "Challenge the competition with fresh skills, stakes, and obstacles that change every match. Will you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Or take a risk, gamble everything, and hope your squad can achieve the highest spot? The decision is yours."

Project Ethos does not have an announced release date or platforms, but enthusiasts can look forward to additional details as development advances.