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2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the development team at their internal studio, which is currently developing the forthcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Follows Lukewarm Response

Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the exit of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster initial reveal last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer updated staff about this decision through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had indicated the requirement for a distinct direction.

The president noted that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a renewed vision, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.

A Pattern of Key Recruitment

This announcement mirrors a comparable move taken by the publisher in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.

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

Dear Team—

I understand you all just wrapped up your meeting - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a note, I stated the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most driven and innovative designers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re eager for that partnership to persist.”

Given your hard work and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It validated the appeal of a action-packed game but indicated we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the necessity for a sharper identity.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the feedback to consideration and overhauled Project ETHOS with a refreshed direction - one that’s poised to fulfill its potential to our fans.

Our confidence in Project ETHOS increases every day. To further the outstanding development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce Ben Brinkman as the latest Lead of the team. Following several months of discussions, he comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s guidance and background in the PVP shooter space is extensive, having dedicated the recent years producing and overseeing some of the most popular titles in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.

Please join me in welcoming Ben soon. We are all looking forward to continue seeing the evolution of the game in the weeks to ahead.

David

Background of the Incoming Head

The appointee presently serves in the role of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman previously worked at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had stints at other industry leaders.

Title Details and Vision

The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. At the time, 31st Union described the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an innovative step forward on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary states. "Face the competition with new abilities, challenges, and tests that shift every session. Will you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Or take a risk, risk it all, and hope your team can earn top ranking? The option is yours."

The game lacks an official launch window or supported systems, but fans can look forward to more updates as development advances.