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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 working on the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Leadership Shift Follows Poor Response

Brinkman steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster unveiling last fall.

Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified staff about this strategic move through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had revealed the requirement for a more defined vision.

Ismailer expressed that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a revised vision, aiming to better meet community desires.

Trend of Key Acquisitions

This announcement mirrors a comparable step taken by 2K Games in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the BioShock development group.

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

Team—

I understand you all just finished your gathering - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most driven and talented designers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re looking forward for that relationship to endure.”

With your dedication and adaptability, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The community feedback from last fall’s the game playtest was enlightening. It confirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had work to do. It revealed the need for a sharper identity.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the feedback to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a renewed goal - one that’s poised to fulfill its potential to our audience.

The trust in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the incredible development you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of 31st Union. Following several months of talks, he comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s guidance and experience in the PVP shooter field is considerable, having devoted the last 15 years developing and overseeing some of the most well-known series in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in greeting him in the coming days. We are all eager to persist witnessing the evolution of the game in the months to come.

The President

Experience of the New Leader

The appointee presently holds the position of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had periods at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Vision

The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. Initially, 31st Union presented the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative step forward on the genre."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the official summary reads. "Face the rivals with unique powers, stakes, and obstacles that evolve every round. Do you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively take a risk, put it on the line, and trust your group can achieve the highest spot? The choice is in your hands."

Project Ethos does not have an announced release date or platforms, but players can look forward to further news as production continues.