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2K Games has welcomed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the forthcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Transition Comes After Poor Reception

Brinkman steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' disappointing unveiling last fall.

Recently, 2K president David Ismailer informed staff about this strategic move through an internal memo, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had indicated the requirement for a more defined game identity.

Ismailer stated that the team is now reimagining the project with a refreshed approach, aiming to address gamer demands.

Trend of Strategic Hires

The news mirrors a similar move taken by 2K Games in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to work on the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the complete text from the president's announcement:

Team—

I know you all just finished your meeting - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a message, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this group. 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 relationship to endure.”

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

The gamer responses from last fall’s the game demo was enlightening. It affirmed the potential of a action-packed game but told us we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the need for a sharper vision.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You took the criticism to consideration and reimagined Project ETHOS with a revitalized goal - one that’s positioned to achieve its promise to our audience.

The trust in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the outstanding advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome the new hire as the incoming Lead of 31st Union. After some time of talks, he comes aboard us on next week.

Ben’s guidance and expertise in the competitive gaming space is extensive, having devoted the recent years producing and overseeing some of the most recognizable franchises in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, Apex Legends.

Let’s together in receiving him soon. We are all excited to persist observing the progress of Project ETHOS in the months to follow.

The President

Background of the New Head

The appointee currently holds the position of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He earlier worked at major gaming companies in multiple development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, earlier in his career, had periods at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Vision

Project Ethos was revealed in last year together with a community playtest. Initially, 31st Union described the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative advancement on the style."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the description states. "Take on the opponents with unique powers, stakes, and tests that evolve every match. Do you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Or aim high, gamble everything, and pray your team can secure victory? The option is in your hands."

The game does not have an official launch window or consoles, but enthusiasts can anticipate more updates as creation advances.