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2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the development team at their internal studio, which is currently developing the forthcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift Comes After Lukewarm Reception

Brinkman assumes the leadership position at 31st Union following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' disappointing unveiling last autumn.

Recently, 2K president a key figure updated team members about this decision through an internal memo, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had shown the requirement for a clearer vision.

The president stated that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a refreshed focus, aiming to address gamer demands.

A Pattern of Key Hires

The news mirrors a comparable move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

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

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just completed your town hall - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative developers we have had the pleasure to work with - and we’re eager for that partnership to endure.”

Through your commitment and flexibility, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The community feedback from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was informative. It confirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had work to do. It uncovered the need for a sharper vision.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the feedback to consideration and reimagined Project ETHOS with a revitalized direction - one that’s poised to fulfill its potential to our players.

Our confidence in this project grows every day. To advance the incredible progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce the new hire as the new Director of 31st Union. Following a period of talks, Ben officially joins us on next week.

His guidance and background in the PVP shooter field is extensive, having dedicated the recent years producing and managing some of the most well-known series in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in welcoming him soon. We are all excited to persist observing the progress of the game in the time to come.

The President

Experience of the Incoming Leader

Brinkman presently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Vision

The upcoming game was revealed in last year together with a early access event. Then, the developers described the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative evolution on the category."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the description reads. "Take on the opponents with unique powers, stakes, and challenges that change every session. Will you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Or aim high, gamble everything, and pray your squad can secure victory? The option is in your hands."

The game lacks an confirmed debut schedule or platforms, but fans can anticipate further news as development continues.