🔗 Share this article

2K Games has welcomed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the development team at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Follows Lukewarm Feedback

The new appointee steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing unveiling last autumn.

Recently, the company's top executive a key figure updated team members about this strategic move through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had shown the need for a distinct game identity.

The president stated that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a renewed vision, aiming to satisfy player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions

The news echoes a similar step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on an industry veteran from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the entire content from Ismailer's memo:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just completed your meeting - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a message, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most driven and creative designers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that partnership to endure.”

Through your commitment and adaptability, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The community feedback from last fall’s the game testing phase was revealing. It affirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had work to do. It revealed the need for a clearer identity.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the criticism to consideration and revamped Project ETHOS with a renewed vision - one that’s poised to deliver on its promise to our players.

The trust in this project grows every day. To boost the outstanding development you’ve made, I’m excited to announce Ben Brinkman as the new Director of the team. After several months of discussions, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s guidance and background in the PVP shooter genre is vast, having dedicated the recent years producing and overseeing some of the most recognizable titles in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in welcoming Ben in the coming days. We are all excited to persist witnessing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the months to follow.

The President

Experience of the New Leader

The appointee presently serves in the position of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Details and Concept

The upcoming game was revealed in last year alongside a early access event. Then, 31st Union presented the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting advancement on the category."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the official summary explains. "Take on the competition with unique powers, risks, and challenges that shift every match. Do you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Or go big, risk it all, and pray your group can earn top ranking? The choice is in your hands."

The game does not have an confirmed debut schedule or supported systems, but enthusiasts can anticipate further news as development progresses.