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The renowned publisher has welcomed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Leadership Shift Follows Poor Feedback

Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing initial reveal last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified staff about this organizational change through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had revealed the necessity for a distinct game identity.

The president stated that the team is now overhauling the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to better meet community desires.

Trend of Strategic Recruitment

The news echoes a similar action taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the full content from the president's announcement:

Dear Team—

I know you all just completed your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Previously I sent you all a update, I stated the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most driven and innovative designers we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to continue.”

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

The player input from last autumn’s the game playtest was enlightening. It confirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but indicated we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the need for a sharper identity.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the feedback to mind and reimagined the title with a refreshed direction - one that’s ready to achieve its promise to our fans.

The trust in Project ETHOS increases every day. To advance the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome the new hire as the incoming Lead of 31st Union. After a period of talks, Ben starts with us on the specified date.

His guidance and expertise in the competitive gaming field is vast, having spent the past decade and a half creating and overseeing some of the most well-known series in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in greeting Ben next week. We are all excited to continue observing the progress of Project ETHOS in the months to come.

David

Experience of the Incoming Head

Brinkman presently holds the role of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He earlier worked at major gaming companies in multiple development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Concept

Project Ethos was announced in last year alongside a community playtest. Initially, the developers presented the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative evolution on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to match your preferred approach," the official summary explains. "Face the opponents with fresh skills, risks, and challenges that change every match. Do you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Or aim high, gamble everything, and hope your group can earn top ranking? The choice is yours."

The game has not yet received an confirmed debut schedule or supported systems, but enthusiasts can anticipate further news as production progresses.