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The renowned publisher has welcomed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the forthcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Comes After Lukewarm Reception

Brinkman assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster unveiling last autumn.

Recently, 2K president a key figure updated employees about this decision through an official communication, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had revealed the requirement for a distinct direction.

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

Trend of Key Acquisitions

The news mirrors a comparable step taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the entire message from the president's announcement:

Team—

I know you all just wrapped up your gathering - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a update, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and innovative developers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to endure.”

With your dedication and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The player input from last autumn’s Project ETHOS playtest was enlightening. It affirmed the promise of a action-packed game but told us we still had work to do. It uncovered the requirement for a more distinct brand.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the feedback to heart and revamped the title with a renewed goal - one that’s poised to achieve its promise to our fans.

Our confidence in this project increases every day. To boost the incredible development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce the new hire as the incoming Director of 31st Union. Following a period of talks, Ben comes aboard us on next week.

Ben’s management and experience in the competitive gaming field is extensive, having dedicated the past decade and a half developing and leading some of the most recognizable titles in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in receiving Ben in the coming days. We are all eager to continue observing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to ahead.

The President

Experience of the New Leader

Brinkman currently holds the position of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He earlier worked at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had stints at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Vision

Project Ethos was revealed in last year alongside a early access event. Initially, 31st Union presented the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative advancement on the style."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch states. "Take on the rivals with fresh skills, stakes, and obstacles that shift every session. Do you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Alternatively aim high, gamble everything, and hope your team can secure victory? The decision is in your hands."

The game has not yet received an confirmed debut schedule or consoles, but players can expect more updates as creation continues.