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2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently developing the forthcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Follows Mixed Response

The new appointee steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the departure of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' underwhelming initial reveal last autumn.

Recently, 2K president a key figure informed employees about this decision through an internal memo, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had shown the requirement for a more defined game identity.

The president stated that the developers is now reimagining the project with a refreshed approach, aiming to address community desires.

A Pattern of Key Acquisitions

The news follows a comparable action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise development group.

Below is the complete text from the president's communication:

Team—

I understand you all just finished your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a message, I stated the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative developers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to endure.”

Through your commitment and adaptability, particularly over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.

The community feedback from last fall’s the game testing phase was revealing. It validated the potential of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had work to do. It uncovered the need for a more distinct vision.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the input to heart and overhauled the title with a revitalized goal - one that’s poised to fulfill its potential to our fans.

The belief in this project increases every day. To advance the remarkable development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of 31st Union. Following some time of talks, he comes aboard us on next week.

Ben’s management and background in the competitive gaming field is vast, having dedicated the recent years producing and overseeing some of the most recognizable franchises in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in greeting him in the coming days. We are all excited to keep seeing the progress of the game in the weeks to ahead.

David

Experience of the Incoming Head

The appointee currently serves in the position of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Vision

Project Ethos was announced in last year in conjunction with a community playtest. Initially, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "no-cost, 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! Customize your character in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch explains. "Face the competition with unique powers, risks, and tests that evolve every match. Do you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively go big, risk it all, and trust your team can achieve the highest spot? The choice is up to you."

Project Ethos lacks an announced debut schedule or platforms, but enthusiasts can expect more updates as creation progresses.