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The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Management Change Comes After Poor Feedback

Brinkman assumes the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming initial reveal last fall.

Recently, 2K president a key figure informed employees about this decision through an official communication, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had shown the need for a more defined game identity.

The president stated that the team is now reimagining the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to better meet player expectations.

Trend of Strategic Hires

This announcement follows a comparable move taken by the publisher in August, when they hired an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the full text from the president's announcement:

Team—

I understand you all just finished your meeting - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Last time I shared you all a update, I expressed the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and talented creators we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to persist.”

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

The player input from last autumn’s the game testing phase was revealing. It validated the appeal of a action-packed game but told us we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the necessity for a sharper brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the criticism to consideration and overhauled the title with a renewed direction - one that’s poised to achieve its ambition to our players.

The belief in this project increases every day. To advance the remarkable advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce the new hire as the latest Director of the team. After several months of discussions, he officially joins us on the specified date.

Ben’s guidance and expertise in the competitive gaming field is extensive, having spent the recent years producing and leading some of the most recognizable series in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and lately, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in greeting him soon. We are all eager to persist seeing the progress of Project ETHOS in the months to come.

David

Background of the New Leader

The appointee presently holds the role of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in multiple development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had stints at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Vision

Project Ethos was unveiled in last year together with a early access event. At the time, the developers described the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative 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 fit your unique tactics," the official summary reads. "Challenge the rivals with unique powers, stakes, and obstacles that shift every round. Will you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Or aim high, put it on the line, and hope your group can achieve the highest spot? The choice is up to you."

The game lacks an official release date or platforms, but enthusiasts can look forward to more updates as production advances.