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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 working on the anticipated over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Leadership Shift Comes After Mixed Response

The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' underwhelming initial reveal last autumn.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer updated staff about this strategic move through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had revealed the necessity for a clearer direction.

The president noted that the team is now overhauling the project with a revised focus, aiming to better meet player expectations.

A Pattern of Key Acquisitions

This announcement echoes a comparable move taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the full content from Ismailer's announcement:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just wrapped up your town hall - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a note, I expressed the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most driven and talented designers we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re eager for that partnership to persist.”

Given your hard work and versatility, especially over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The community feedback from last autumn’s the game demo was enlightening. It validated the potential of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had improvements to make. It revealed the requirement for a clearer brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the criticism to mind and reimagined the title with a renewed direction - one that’s ready to fulfill its promise to our audience.

The belief in this project increases every day. To further the incredible advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to announce Ben Brinkman as the latest Lead of the team. After a period of talks, he comes aboard us on next week.

His management and experience in the competitive gaming field is vast, having spent the recent years producing and leading some of the most recognizable franchises in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in greeting him in the coming days. We are all eager to persist seeing the evolution of the game in the time to come.

David

Experience of the Incoming Leader

The appointee presently serves in the position of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier was employed at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Concept

Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 together with a early access event. Initially, the developers presented the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative advancement on the genre."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the game's pitch explains. "Take on the competition with unique powers, challenges, and obstacles that change every round. Do you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Alternatively go big, put it on the line, and hope your squad can earn top ranking? The option is in your hands."

Project Ethos lacks an official launch window or platforms, but enthusiasts can look forward to more updates as production progresses.