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2K Games has welcomed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Follows Poor Feedback

Brinkman assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster early showing last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified team members about this decision through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had shown the need for a distinct vision.

Ismailer noted that the team is now reimagining the project with a refreshed approach, aiming to better meet gamer demands.

A Pattern of Strategic Hires

The news mirrors a comparable action taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.

Below is the full text from Ismailer's announcement:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just finished your town hall - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a message, I stated the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and talented creators we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that partnership to continue.”

With your dedication and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was enlightening. It validated the potential of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had work to do. It uncovered the requirement for a more distinct brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the feedback to consideration and overhauled the title with a revitalized vision - one that’s positioned to fulfill its potential to our players.

Our confidence in Project ETHOS grows every day. To boost the remarkable advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce the new hire as the incoming Director of 31st Union. After a period of discussions, he starts with us on next week.

His leadership and experience in the competitive gaming field is vast, having spent the recent years producing and overseeing some of the most recognizable series in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.

Please join me in receiving him in the coming days. We are all excited to continue seeing the progress of the game in the time to come.

David

Background of the Incoming Leader

Brinkman presently holds the position of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had periods at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Vision

Project Ethos was unveiled in October 2024 together with a community playtest. Initially, 31st Union presented the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an exciting evolution on the category."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the official summary explains. "Face the opponents with new abilities, stakes, and challenges that change every round. Will you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively aim high, put it on the line, and pray your team can secure victory? The decision is up to you."

Project Ethos does not have an official debut schedule or supported systems, but fans can expect more updates as production advances.