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2K Games has welcomed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the forthcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Transition Comes After Mixed Reception

Brinkman assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster early showing last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer informed employees about this decision through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had indicated the requirement for a clearer game identity.

The president noted that the developers is now overhauling the project with a revised approach, aiming to better meet gamer demands.

A Pattern of Key Recruitment

The news mirrors a similar step taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to work on the beloved franchise development group.

Below is the complete text from the president's communication:

Dear Team—

I know you all just completed your town hall - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Last time I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative developers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to continue.”

Through your commitment and flexibility, particularly over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The player input from last autumn’s Project ETHOS playtest was revealing. It confirmed the promise of a action-packed game but told us we still had improvements to make. It revealed the need for a more distinct brand.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You embraced the feedback to consideration and reimagined Project ETHOS with a refreshed vision - one that’s poised to deliver on its potential to our fans.

Our confidence in this project strengthens every day. To boost the remarkable development you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome the new hire as the latest Director of the team. After some time of conversations, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.

His leadership and background in the competitive gaming field is vast, having spent the recent years developing and leading some of the most well-known franchises in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, Apex Legends.

Let’s together in welcoming him next week. We are all looking forward to keep seeing the evolution of the game in the weeks to come.

The President

Background of the Incoming Head

The appointee currently serves in the position of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He previously worked at major gaming companies in various production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Vision

Project Ethos was unveiled in last year together with a public demo. Then, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting evolution on the style."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the description reads. "Face the opponents with new abilities, risks, and obstacles that shift every round. Will you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Or go big, gamble everything, and hope your group can achieve the highest spot? The choice is yours."

The game lacks an official launch window or supported systems, but enthusiasts can look forward to further news as creation continues.