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2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Transition Follows Mixed Response

The new appointee assumes the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's disappointing early showing last autumn.

Recently, 2K president David Ismailer notified employees about this decision through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had shown the need for a clearer game identity.

The president stated that the team is now overhauling the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to address gamer demands.

A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions

The news mirrors a similar action taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to work on the beloved franchise development group.

Here is the complete message from Ismailer's memo:

Team—

I know you all just finished your meeting - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a message, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and innovative designers we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re eager for that relationship to continue.”

With your dedication and versatility, especially over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s the game playtest was informative. It affirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had work to do. It highlighted the need for a clearer identity.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the input to consideration and overhauled Project ETHOS with a renewed direction - one that’s poised to deliver on its promise to our players.

The trust in this project increases every day. To advance the remarkable advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce the new hire as the latest Director of 31st Union. After several months of talks, Ben comes aboard us on next week.

Ben’s leadership and experience in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having devoted the last 15 years creating and managing some of the most well-known titles in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in greeting Ben next week. We are all looking forward to keep witnessing the progress of the game in the months to come.

David

Background of the Incoming Head

Brinkman currently serves in the position of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had stints at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Vision

Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 alongside a public demo. Then, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative step forward on the category."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the description states. "Take on the rivals with unique powers, challenges, and obstacles that change every round. Will you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Or take a risk, gamble everything, and trust your team can earn top ranking? The choice is in your hands."

Project Ethos has not yet received an announced debut schedule or consoles, but enthusiasts can expect more updates as development advances.