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2K Games has welcomed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Leadership Change Follows Mixed Feedback

The new appointee steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster early showing last fall.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure notified team members about this organizational change through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had shown the requirement for a distinct game identity.

The president stated that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a revised approach, aiming to better meet community desires.

A Pattern of Key Recruitment

This announcement echoes a comparable action taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the beloved franchise development group.

Below is the entire text from the president's memo:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just wrapped up your gathering - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a message, I stated the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative designers we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that partnership to continue.”

Through your commitment and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s the game demo was informative. It affirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had refinements needed. It revealed the necessity for a sharper identity.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the feedback to mind and revamped the title with a renewed vision - one that’s poised to deliver on its potential to our players.

The belief in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To boost the remarkable advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to announce Ben Brinkman as the latest Lead of 31st Union. Following a period of discussions, he comes aboard us on next week.

His management and background in the PVP shooter field is extensive, having spent the past decade and a half producing and managing some of the most popular franchises in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in welcoming him soon. We are all eager to continue observing the development of Project ETHOS in the weeks to come.

David

Background of the New Leader

The appointee currently serves in the position of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He previously worked at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Details and Vision

The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. At the time, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting evolution on the genre."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the game's pitch explains. "Face the rivals with new abilities, risks, and challenges that evolve every match. Will you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Or go big, put it on the line, and hope your group can earn top ranking? The option is up to you."

Project Ethos lacks an confirmed debut schedule or supported systems, but enthusiasts can expect further news as production progresses.