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2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Management Transition Follows Mixed Response

The new appointee takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's lackluster early showing last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer notified employees about this decision through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had shown the necessity for a distinct direction.

The president noted that the team is now overhauling the project with a revised focus, aiming to better meet gamer demands.

A Pattern of Key Acquisitions

This announcement mirrors a comparable action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise development group.

Here is the complete message from Ismailer's communication:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just wrapped up your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative creators we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re excited for that relationship to endure.”

With your dedication and versatility, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS playtest was informative. It affirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had work to do. It uncovered the requirement for a clearer brand.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the input to consideration and overhauled the title with a renewed goal - one that’s poised to achieve its promise to our players.

The trust in this project grows every day. To advance the outstanding development you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome the new hire as the new Studio Head of the team. After several months of talks, he comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.

His leadership and experience in the competitive gaming space is considerable, having dedicated the past decade and a half developing and overseeing some of the most recognizable series in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in greeting Ben soon. We are all looking forward to keep observing the development of the game in the weeks to come.

The President

Experience of the New Leader

The appointee currently holds the role of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Concept

The upcoming game was announced in last year alongside a public demo. Initially, the developers presented the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting advancement on the category."

"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 unique powers, stakes, and obstacles that evolve every round. Do you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or aim high, gamble everything, and pray your squad can earn top ranking? The choice is yours."

Project Ethos has not yet received an confirmed release date or platforms, but enthusiasts can look forward to further news as production progresses.