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2K Games has welcomed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Transition Comes After Poor Reception

The new appointee steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing unveiling last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer informed staff about this strategic move through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had shown the requirement for a clearer vision.

The president expressed that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a revised vision, aiming to satisfy community desires.

Trend of Strategic Hires

The news mirrors a similar move taken by 2K Games in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise development group.

Here is the full text from Ismailer's communication:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just finished your town hall - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a note, I stated the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented creators we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re eager for that partnership to continue.”

Through your commitment and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS playtest was revealing. It validated the promise of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had improvements to make. It revealed the need for a clearer identity.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the criticism to consideration and overhauled Project ETHOS with a refreshed goal - one that’s poised to fulfill its ambition to our players.

The belief in Project ETHOS grows every day. To boost the remarkable progress you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of the team. After several months of discussions, he officially joins us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s leadership and experience in the competitive gaming field is extensive, having spent the past decade and a half producing and managing some of the most popular series in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in greeting him next week. We are all looking forward to continue observing the progress of Project ETHOS in the time to ahead.

The President

Experience of the Incoming Head

The appointee currently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Vision

Project Ethos was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a early access event. Initially, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an exciting advancement on the category."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch explains. "Take on the opponents with new abilities, stakes, and obstacles that shift every match. Do you leave securely with your collected items? Alternatively take a risk, risk it all, and hope your squad can secure victory? The decision is up to you."

Project Ethos lacks an announced release date or supported systems, but players can look forward to additional details as production advances.