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2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift Follows Mixed Response

Brinkman assumes the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster early showing last fall.

Recently, 2K president David Ismailer informed team members about this strategic move through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had shown the necessity for a clearer game identity.

Ismailer expressed that the team is now refining the project with a revised vision, aiming to address player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Hires

This announcement follows a comparable step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the entire message from Ismailer's memo:

Dear Team—

I know you all just wrapped up your gathering - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and creative creators we have had the chance to work with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to endure.”

Given your hard work and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s the game testing phase was enlightening. It confirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the requirement for a more distinct brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the criticism to heart and reimagined the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s poised to deliver on its ambition to our fans.

Our confidence in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To boost the remarkable development you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce Ben Brinkman as the new Director of 31st Union. After some time of discussions, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20.

His leadership and background in the competitive gaming field is vast, having dedicated the last 15 years developing and leading some of the most well-known franchises in the industry, such as the acclaimed shooter, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in welcoming Ben soon. We are all excited to persist seeing the development of Project ETHOS in the weeks to ahead.

David

Experience of the New Leader

The appointee presently serves in the position of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier worked at major gaming companies in multiple development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Information and Vision

Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 alongside a early access event. Then, 31st Union described the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an exciting evolution on the style."

"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. "Challenge the competition with unique powers, challenges, and obstacles that shift every round. Do you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Alternatively take a risk, put it on the line, and trust your team can earn top ranking? The decision is yours."

The game has not yet received an official launch window or consoles, but fans can look forward to more updates as production continues.