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2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Leadership Shift Follows Lukewarm Reception

The new appointee steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the departure of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing initial reveal last fall.

Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer informed employees about this decision through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had shown the need for a more defined direction.

The president noted that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a refreshed focus, aiming to satisfy player expectations.

Trend of Strategic Hires

The news echoes a comparable step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.

Here is the full content from the president's communication:

Dear Team—

I know you all just completed your town hall - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a update, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented developers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re eager for that partnership to persist.”

Given your hard work and versatility, especially over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS playtest was informative. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had work to do. It highlighted the need for a more distinct identity.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the feedback to mind and revamped Project ETHOS with a revitalized vision - one that’s positioned to fulfill its ambition to our players.

Our confidence in this project grows every day. To further the remarkable progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce Ben Brinkman as the new Director of the team. After several months of discussions, Ben officially joins us on next week.

Ben’s guidance and background in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having spent the past decade and a half creating and leading some of the most recognizable series in the industry, for example the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in receiving him in the coming days. We are all eager to persist seeing the evolution of the game in the weeks to ahead.

The President

Background of the Incoming Leader

The appointee currently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Title Details and Concept

Project Ethos was unveiled in October 2024 together with a community playtest. Initially, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting advancement 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 fit your unique tactics," the official summary explains. "Challenge the rivals with new abilities, stakes, and obstacles that change every match. Will you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or aim high, put it on the line, and hope your squad can secure victory? The decision is yours."

The game does not have an confirmed debut schedule or consoles, but fans can anticipate further news as creation continues.