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2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Change Follows Mixed Reception

Brinkman assumes the role of studio head at the development studio following the exit of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's underwhelming unveiling last autumn.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure informed employees about this organizational change through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had shown the necessity for a more defined direction.

Ismailer stated that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a revised focus, aiming to satisfy community desires.

Trend of Key Recruitment

This announcement follows a comparable step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the BioShock development group.

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

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just wrapped up your gathering - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Previously 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 designers we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to continue.”

Given your hard work and adaptability, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s the game playtest was revealing. It affirmed the potential of a action-packed game but indicated we still had improvements to make. It revealed the necessity for a more distinct brand.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the feedback to mind and revamped the title with a refreshed goal - one that’s poised to fulfill its ambition to our audience.

The trust in Project ETHOS increases every day. To boost the remarkable progress you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome the new hire as the latest Lead of the team. After a period of conversations, Ben starts with us on the specified date.

Ben’s management and background in the competitive gaming space is vast, having spent the past decade and a half creating and managing some of the most popular series in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in greeting Ben soon. We are all excited to persist observing the evolution of the game in the months to come.

The President

Background of the New Head

The appointee currently serves in the role of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, before that, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Concept

Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a early access event. At the time, 31st Union described the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting evolution on the style."

"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 description explains. "Face the rivals with unique powers, challenges, and obstacles that evolve every match. Do you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Alternatively aim high, gamble everything, and hope your team can earn top ranking? The option is up to you."

The game lacks an confirmed launch window or consoles, but fans can look forward to further news as production progresses.