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The renowned publisher has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the upcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Management Shift Follows Mixed Feedback

The new appointee steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the departure of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's disappointing unveiling last fall.

Recently, 2K president David Ismailer notified team members about this strategic move through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had revealed the requirement for a more defined vision.

Ismailer noted that the team is now refining the project with a refreshed approach, aiming to better meet player expectations.

A Pattern of Key Hires

This announcement echoes a similar move taken by 2K Games in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the BioShock development group.

Here is the entire message from the president's memo:

Team—

I understand you all just finished your town hall - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Last time I shared you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented developers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re excited for that relationship to endure.”

Given your hard work and versatility, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s the game testing phase was revealing. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had work to do. It uncovered the necessity for a sharper identity.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You took the feedback to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a renewed goal - one that’s poised to achieve its potential to our fans.

The trust in this project increases every day. To further the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce Ben Brinkman as the latest Lead of 31st Union. After several months of conversations, he starts with us on the specified date.

Ben’s leadership and expertise in the competitive gaming field is extensive, having devoted the recent years developing and leading some of the most recognizable series in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in welcoming him soon. We are all looking forward to continue observing the development of the game in the weeks to follow.

The President

Experience of the New Leader

Brinkman currently serves in the role of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, earlier in his career, had periods at other industry leaders.

Title Information and Concept

Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 together with a public demo. Initially, the developers described the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative evolution on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the official summary reads. "Challenge the competition with fresh skills, challenges, and obstacles that evolve every match. Will you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or take a risk, risk it all, and hope your group can secure victory? The decision is up to you."

The game does not have an confirmed debut schedule or supported systems, but fans can expect additional details as creation continues.