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The renowned publisher has secured a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the forthcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Comes After Mixed Response

The new appointee assumes the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's underwhelming initial reveal last fall.

Recently, 2K president David Ismailer notified staff about this decision through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had revealed the need for a clearer game identity.

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

A Pattern of Strategic Recruitment

The news follows a comparable action taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.

Below is the entire message from the president's announcement:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just completed your town hall - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most driven and innovative developers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re eager for that relationship to endure.”

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

The community feedback from last autumn’s the game testing phase was revealing. It confirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the requirement for a sharper vision.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the feedback to consideration and reimagined the title with a renewed vision - one that’s poised to achieve its potential to our fans.

The belief in this project strengthens every day. To further the remarkable development you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome Ben Brinkman as the latest Lead of 31st Union. Following a period of talks, Ben starts with us on Monday, October 20.

His leadership and background in the competitive gaming genre is considerable, having dedicated the recent years producing and leading some of the most popular series in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.

Let’s together in receiving Ben soon. We are all excited to keep witnessing the progress of the game in the time to follow.

The President

Background of the Incoming Leader

Brinkman currently holds the role of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman previously worked at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Details and Concept

Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 alongside a early access event. Initially, the developers described the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative advancement on the genre."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the description explains. "Take on the competition with new abilities, stakes, and tests that evolve every round. Do you safely extract with your collected items? Or aim high, risk it all, and trust your group can secure victory? The decision is in your hands."

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