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2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently developing the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Follows Mixed Feedback

The new appointee assumes the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming initial reveal last fall.

Recently, 2K president a key figure notified staff about this decision through an official communication, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had shown the necessity for a distinct direction.

Ismailer expressed that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a revised focus, aiming to address player expectations.

A Pattern of Key Recruitment

This announcement follows a similar step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

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

Dear Team—

I understand you all just finished your gathering - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative developers we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re eager for that relationship to endure.”

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

The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was informative. It confirmed the potential of a action-packed game but made clear we still had work to do. It highlighted the need for a sharper brand.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You took the feedback to consideration and revamped Project ETHOS with a revitalized direction - one that’s ready to deliver on its ambition to our audience.

The trust in this project strengthens every day. To further the remarkable development you’ve made, I’m excited to announce Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of the team. After a period of discussions, Ben comes aboard us on the specified date.

His guidance and expertise in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having dedicated the last 15 years producing and overseeing some of the most popular franchises in the industry, such as the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in welcoming him next week. We are all eager to continue seeing the progress of the game in the months to ahead.

David

Background of the New Head

The appointee currently serves in the role of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had periods at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Concept

The upcoming game was revealed in last year alongside a community playtest. Then, the developers portrayed the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative step forward on the category."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary states. "Face the opponents with fresh skills, stakes, and obstacles that evolve every session. Will you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Alternatively aim high, gamble everything, and hope your squad can earn top ranking? The decision is in your hands."

The game lacks an official launch window or consoles, but fans can expect further news as creation advances.