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The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the forthcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift Comes After Mixed Reception

The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster unveiling last autumn.

Recently, 2K president a key figure updated staff about this decision through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had shown the need for a clearer game identity.

The president noted that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a renewed focus, aiming to satisfy community desires.

Trend of Key Acquisitions

This announcement mirrors a comparable move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the beloved franchise development group.

Here is the full message from Ismailer's announcement:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just completed your meeting - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and talented designers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to continue.”

Given your hard work and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The community feedback from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was informative. It confirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had refinements needed. It revealed the necessity for a more distinct vision.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the criticism to mind and revamped the title with a renewed direction - one that’s ready to achieve its promise to our audience.

Our confidence in Project ETHOS grows every day. To advance the outstanding advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce the new hire as the new Lead of 31st Union. Following a period of talks, he comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s leadership and expertise in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having dedicated the last 15 years developing and leading some of the most well-known franchises in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in greeting Ben next week. We are all eager to persist observing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to ahead.

David

Background of the New Leader

The appointee currently holds the position of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had periods at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Vision

The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 together with a community playtest. Then, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling evolution on the category."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the official summary reads. "Take on the rivals with unique powers, stakes, and tests that change every round. Do you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Or take a risk, gamble everything, and trust your team can secure victory? The choice is up to you."

Project Ethos has not yet received an announced release date or consoles, but fans can expect more updates as production advances.