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2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the forthcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Follows Lukewarm Response

Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure 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 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 distinct vision.

Ismailer stated that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to address gamer demands.

Trend of Key Recruitment

This announcement echoes a comparable step taken by 2K Games in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the complete text from Ismailer's announcement:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just wrapped up your gathering - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a note, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and creative developers we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to continue.”

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

The community feedback from last fall’s the game demo was revealing. It validated the appeal of a action-packed game but made clear we still had work to do. It uncovered the requirement for a clearer identity.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the input to heart and revamped Project ETHOS with a revitalized vision - one that’s ready to achieve its potential to our audience.

The belief in this project increases every day. To boost the remarkable progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce Ben Brinkman as the new Director of the team. After a period of discussions, Ben starts with us on the specified date.

Ben’s leadership and experience in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having dedicated the recent years producing and managing some of the most popular franchises in the industry, for example the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in welcoming him in the coming days. We are all looking forward to persist seeing the progress of Project ETHOS in the weeks to follow.

The President

Experience of the New Leader

The appointee presently serves in the position of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, prior to that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Information and Vision

The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 alongside a public demo. Initially, the developers portrayed the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative step forward on the category."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the description reads. "Face the opponents with unique powers, stakes, and challenges that shift every round. Will you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or aim high, put it on the line, and trust your team can secure victory? The choice is yours."

The game has not yet received an confirmed release date or consoles, but fans can look forward to additional details as development progresses.