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The renowned publisher has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Change Comes After Poor Response

The new appointee assumes the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's disappointing initial reveal last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer updated team members about this decision through an internal memo, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had revealed the requirement for a more defined direction.

Ismailer noted that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a refreshed focus, aiming to satisfy player expectations.

Trend of Key Acquisitions

This announcement mirrors a comparable step taken by 2K Games in August, when they brought on an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise development group.

Here is the complete content from Ismailer's announcement:

Dear Team—

I know you all just completed your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative creators we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to persist.”

Through your commitment and adaptability, especially over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The player input from last autumn’s the game demo was enlightening. It confirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but told us we still had improvements to make. It revealed the necessity for a sharper identity.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the criticism to heart and revamped Project ETHOS with a refreshed direction - one that’s ready to fulfill its ambition to our fans.

The trust in this project grows every day. To boost the incredible progress you’ve made, I’m excited to announce the new hire as the new Studio Head of 31st Union. After several months of talks, he officially joins us on Monday, October 20.

His leadership and experience in the PVP shooter space is vast, having dedicated the past decade and a half developing and overseeing some of the most well-known titles in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.

Let’s together in welcoming Ben next week. We are all eager to keep witnessing the progress of the game in the time to ahead.

David

Background of the New Leader

Brinkman presently serves in the position of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, earlier in his career, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Details and Vision

The upcoming game was revealed in last year together with a community playtest. At the time, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling advancement on the style."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the description reads. "Challenge the rivals with fresh skills, risks, and challenges that shift every session. Do you safely extract with your collected items? Alternatively take a risk, put it on the line, and trust your squad can secure victory? The option is in your hands."

Project Ethos does not have an announced debut schedule or platforms, but enthusiasts can anticipate more updates as creation progresses.