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2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer 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.

Management Transition Follows Lukewarm Feedback

The new appointee assumes the leadership position at 31st Union following the exit of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming unveiling last fall.

Recently, 2K president a key figure notified staff about this decision through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had indicated the necessity for a clearer game identity.

The president noted that the developers is now reimagining the project with a renewed focus, aiming to better meet gamer demands.

Trend of Strategic Recruitment

The news echoes a comparable step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.

Below is the complete content from the president's memo:

Team—

I know you all just completed your town hall - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a note, I expressed the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most driven and innovative creators we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that partnership to continue.”

Given your hard work and versatility, especially over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.

The community feedback from last fall’s the game testing phase was enlightening. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had work to do. It revealed the need for a clearer brand.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the criticism to heart and revamped the title with a revitalized vision - one that’s positioned to deliver on its promise to our audience.

The trust in Project ETHOS grows every day. To boost the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome the new hire as the new Director of the team. After some time of talks, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s leadership and expertise in the PVP shooter genre is considerable, having devoted the past decade and a half creating and overseeing some of the most popular series in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in welcoming him in the coming days. We are all eager to keep observing the progress of the game in the months to follow.

The President

Experience of the New Leader

The appointee currently serves in the role of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, prior to that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Vision

The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. Then, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting evolution 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 description states. "Take on the opponents with new abilities, stakes, and challenges that shift every match. Will you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively aim high, put it on the line, and trust your group can secure victory? The choice is up to you."

The game lacks an official launch window or platforms, but enthusiasts can look forward to additional details as development progresses.