🔗 Share this article

2K Games has secured a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the development team at their internal studio, which is currently working on the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift Follows Lukewarm Response

The new appointee steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' disappointing initial reveal last autumn.

Recently, 2K president David Ismailer informed employees about this organizational change through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had revealed the need for a more defined game identity.

Ismailer noted that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a revised approach, aiming to satisfy player expectations.

Trend of Strategic Acquisitions

This announcement follows a similar step taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the complete content from the president's memo:

Team—

I know you all just wrapped up your gathering - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a update, I expressed the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative developers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re excited 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 fall’s Project ETHOS demo was enlightening. It affirmed the promise of a action-packed game but made clear we still had work to do. It highlighted the necessity for a sharper brand.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the criticism to consideration and reimagined the title with a renewed vision - one that’s positioned to deliver on its promise to our fans.

Our confidence in this project strengthens every day. To further the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Director of 31st Union. After several months of talks, he comes aboard us on the specified date.

Ben’s leadership and background in the competitive gaming field is extensive, having devoted the past decade and a half producing and managing some of the most well-known titles in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.

Please join me in greeting him in the coming days. We are all excited to continue seeing the development of the game in the time to come.

The President

Experience of the New Leader

The appointee currently serves in the role of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in various development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, earlier in his career, had periods at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Concept

The upcoming game was unveiled in last year together with a early access event. At the time, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective 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 real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the description reads. "Challenge the opponents with fresh skills, challenges, and challenges that evolve every session. Will you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively go big, risk it all, and hope your squad can achieve the highest spot? The choice is in your hands."

The game lacks an announced debut schedule or supported systems, but fans can expect more updates as creation continues.