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2K Games has welcomed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Change Comes After Mixed Response

The new appointee takes on the leadership position at 31st Union following the exit of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster unveiling last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified staff about this decision through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had revealed the requirement for a more defined direction.

Ismailer noted that the developers is now reimagining the project with a renewed focus, aiming to better meet gamer demands.

Trend of Strategic Recruitment

This announcement mirrors a similar action taken by 2K Games in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to work on the BioShock development group.

Below is the complete message from Ismailer's memo:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just completed your gathering - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Last time I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and creative designers we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to persist.”

With your dedication and flexibility, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The community feedback from last fall’s the game playtest was informative. It affirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had refinements needed. It revealed the requirement for a clearer vision.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the criticism to mind and reimagined Project ETHOS with a renewed vision - one that’s poised to fulfill its ambition to our fans.

The trust in Project ETHOS grows every day. To boost the remarkable progress you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome the new hire as the new Director of 31st Union. After some time of discussions, Ben comes aboard us on the specified date.

Ben’s leadership and experience in the PVP shooter space is considerable, having dedicated the recent years producing and managing some of the most well-known franchises in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in receiving Ben in the coming days. We are all excited to persist seeing the development of the game in the months to come.

The President

Background of the Incoming Leader

Brinkman currently serves in the position of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in multiple production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Title Information and Vision

Project Ethos was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. At the time, the developers described the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative evolution on the style."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the description explains. "Challenge the competition with unique powers, stakes, and obstacles that shift every session. Do you safely extract with your collected items? Or aim high, put it on the line, and pray your squad can earn top ranking? The option is yours."

Project Ethos has not yet received an confirmed launch window or platforms, but players can expect additional details as development advances.