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2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Leadership Shift Follows Mixed Feedback

The new appointee assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing early showing last autumn.

Recently, 2K president a key figure informed team members about this organizational change through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had shown the requirement for a clearer vision.

Ismailer noted that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to better meet player expectations.

Trend of Key Acquisitions

This announcement mirrors a similar action taken by the publisher in August, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the BioShock development group.

Here is the complete text from Ismailer's communication:

Team—

I understand you all just finished your town hall - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Previously I sent you all a message, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most driven and innovative creators we have had the pleasure to work with - and we’re looking forward for that relationship to endure.”

Through your commitment and versatility, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The player input from last autumn’s the game playtest was enlightening. It confirmed the promise of a action-packed game but told us we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the necessity for a more distinct identity.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the input to consideration and reimagined the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s poised to fulfill its potential to our fans.

The belief in Project ETHOS increases every day. To further the remarkable progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Lead of the team. Following a period of talks, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s guidance and background in the PVP shooter field is vast, having spent the recent years developing and overseeing some of the most popular titles in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and lately, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in receiving Ben next week. We are all eager to keep observing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the months to follow.

David

Background of the New Leader

Brinkman presently holds the position of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Details and Concept

The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 alongside a public demo. At the time, the developers described the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting evolution on the style."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the description reads. "Challenge the rivals with fresh skills, risks, and challenges that evolve every match. Do you leave securely with your collected items? Or take a risk, risk it all, and trust your squad can achieve the highest spot? The choice is in your hands."

Project Ethos does not have an confirmed debut schedule or supported systems, but enthusiasts can expect additional details as creation continues.