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2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Transition Follows Lukewarm Response

Brinkman takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming early showing last autumn.

Recently, the company's top executive a key figure updated staff about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had shown the necessity for a clearer game identity.

The president expressed that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a revised approach, aiming to satisfy player expectations.

Trend of Strategic Recruitment

The news echoes a similar action taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the complete content from Ismailer's announcement:

Team—

I understand you all just finished your gathering - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Previously I shared you all a update, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented developers we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that relationship to continue.”

Given your hard work and flexibility, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The community feedback from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It confirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had work to do. It highlighted the requirement for a clearer identity.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the criticism to mind and overhauled Project ETHOS with a refreshed goal - one that’s positioned to deliver on its potential to our audience.

The trust in this project increases every day. To advance the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce Ben Brinkman as the new Lead of 31st Union. Following a period of conversations, Ben comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s guidance and background in the PVP shooter field is extensive, having spent the recent years producing and managing some of the most well-known series in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and lately, Apex Legends.

Please join me in greeting him soon. We are all looking forward to keep observing the evolution of the game in the weeks to come.

David

Background of the New Head

Brinkman presently holds the position of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Details and Vision

The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 together with a early access event. Then, 31st Union presented the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling advancement on the genre."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the description explains. "Challenge the opponents with new abilities, challenges, and obstacles that change every round. Do you safely extract with your collected items? Alternatively aim high, put it on the line, and trust your team can secure victory? The option is up to you."

The game has not yet received an official launch window or supported systems, but enthusiasts can expect further news as development continues.