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2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Leadership Transition Follows Lukewarm Response

The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' underwhelming unveiling last fall.

Recently, 2K president a key figure updated team members about this decision through an internal memo, which emphasized that playtesting had revealed the requirement for a distinct game identity.

Ismailer expressed that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to satisfy player expectations.

Trend of Strategic Hires

This announcement echoes a similar step taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the complete content from Ismailer's communication:

Dear Team—

I know you all just finished your town hall - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a note, I expressed the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative developers we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to persist.”

With your dedication and adaptability, particularly over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was revealing. It confirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had work to do. It highlighted the need for a more distinct brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the criticism to heart and overhauled Project ETHOS with a revitalized goal - one that’s positioned to fulfill its promise to our fans.

The belief in this project increases every day. To further the outstanding development you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce Ben Brinkman as the new Lead of 31st Union. Following a period of talks, Ben starts with us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s management and expertise in the PVP shooter space is extensive, having devoted the last 15 years creating and overseeing some of the most recognizable titles in gaming, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in welcoming him next week. We are all excited to keep observing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the time to come.

The President

Background of the New Leader

The appointee currently holds the role of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, prior to that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Concept

Project Ethos was announced in last year in conjunction with a early access event. At the time, the developers presented the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling advancement on the category."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the official summary explains. "Challenge the opponents with new abilities, stakes, and tests that change every match. Will you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or go big, put it on the line, and trust your group can secure victory? The choice is yours."

The game does not have an official release date or platforms, but players can anticipate further news as production continues.