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The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently developing the forthcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift Follows Lukewarm Feedback

Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's underwhelming early showing last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer informed staff about this decision through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had indicated the need for a distinct game identity.

Ismailer expressed that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a revised approach, aiming to better meet player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions

The news follows a comparable move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to work on the BioShock development group.

Below is the complete text from the president's communication:

Team—

I know you all just completed your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a note, I stated the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most driven and talented creators we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that relationship to continue.”

Through your commitment and flexibility, particularly over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was enlightening. It affirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the necessity for a clearer vision.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You took the criticism to mind and reimagined the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s poised to fulfill its potential to our fans.

The belief in this project increases every day. To advance the incredible advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce Ben Brinkman as the new Director of the team. Following several months of talks, he comes aboard us on next week.

His management and background in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having dedicated the recent years creating and leading some of the most well-known series in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in receiving Ben in the coming days. We are all excited to persist witnessing the progress of Project ETHOS in the weeks to come.

The President

Experience of the Incoming Leader

Brinkman presently holds the role of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He earlier worked at major gaming companies in various development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Details and Vision

Project Ethos was revealed in last year in conjunction with a community playtest. Then, the developers presented the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an exciting step forward on the style."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the description states. "Take on the opponents with unique powers, risks, and obstacles that shift every match. Will you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Or aim high, gamble everything, and hope your group can earn top ranking? The choice is yours."

The game does not have an announced debut schedule or platforms, but enthusiasts can look forward to more updates as creation advances.