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2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the forthcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Leadership Shift Comes After Lukewarm Reception

The new appointee steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the exit of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming initial reveal last fall.

Recently, the company's top executive a key figure updated team members about this strategic move through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had revealed the need for a distinct game identity.

The president expressed that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to satisfy community desires.

A Pattern of Key Recruitment

This announcement echoes a comparable action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

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

Team—

I know you all just finished your meeting - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Previously I sent you all a note, I stated the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative designers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re eager for that relationship to endure.”

With your dedication and adaptability, particularly over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.

The player input from last fall’s the game testing phase was enlightening. It confirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but indicated we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the need for a clearer vision.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You embraced the feedback to heart and overhauled Project ETHOS with a revitalized direction - one that’s ready to achieve its ambition to our players.

The belief in Project ETHOS increases every day. To boost the remarkable advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce the new hire as the latest Director of 31st Union. Following several months of conversations, Ben comes aboard us on next week.

Ben’s leadership and background in the competitive gaming genre is extensive, having spent the recent years producing and overseeing some of the most well-known franchises in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and lately, Apex Legends.

Let’s together in welcoming Ben in the coming days. We are all excited to keep witnessing the development of Project ETHOS in the time to follow.

The President

Experience of the New Leader

The appointee presently holds the position of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Vision

The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 together with a early access event. At the time, the developers portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an thrilling evolution on the category."

"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 game's pitch explains. "Take on the competition with fresh skills, challenges, and challenges that change every round. Will you safely extract with your collected items? Alternatively aim high, gamble everything, and trust your squad can earn top ranking? The choice is in your hands."

The game does not have an official launch window or supported systems, but enthusiasts can look forward to additional details as production continues.