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The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Comes After Poor Response

The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at the development studio following the departure of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing initial reveal last autumn.

Recently, 2K president David Ismailer updated employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had indicated the requirement for a distinct game identity.

The president expressed that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a renewed approach, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.

Trend of Strategic Acquisitions

The news echoes a comparable move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the BioShock development group.

Below is the complete text from Ismailer's announcement:

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just wrapped up your meeting - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Last time I shared you all a update, I stated the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and creative designers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that relationship to endure.”

Through your commitment and adaptability, particularly over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.

The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS playtest was enlightening. It affirmed the promise of a action-packed game but indicated we still had refinements needed. It revealed the requirement for a sharper brand.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the feedback to mind and reimagined the title with a renewed direction - one that’s poised to deliver on its potential to our players.

The trust in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome Ben Brinkman as the new Director of the team. Following a period of talks, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.

His leadership and expertise in the PVP shooter genre is vast, having dedicated the last 15 years producing and overseeing some of the most well-known franchises in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in welcoming him next week. We are all excited to keep seeing the progress of Project ETHOS in the months to follow.

The President

Background of the Incoming Leader

The appointee currently serves in the position of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously worked at major gaming companies in multiple development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, earlier in his career, had stints at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Vision

The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 together with a public demo. At the time, 31st Union described the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting step forward 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 explains. "Take on the rivals with new abilities, risks, and tests that evolve every round. Will you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively take a risk, risk it all, and pray your group can earn top ranking? The decision is yours."

The game does not have an official release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can expect more updates as creation continues.