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2K Games has welcomed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Follows Poor Reception

The new appointee takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming unveiling last fall.

Recently, the company's top executive a key figure notified team members about this decision through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had revealed the requirement for a distinct game identity.

Ismailer noted that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a renewed focus, aiming to better meet community desires.

A Pattern of Strategic Hires

This announcement mirrors a similar move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

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

Team—

I understand you all just finished your town hall - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a message, I expressed the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and innovative developers we have had the pleasure to work with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to persist.”

Given your hard work and flexibility, especially over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS playtest was informative. It confirmed the promise of a action-packed game but made clear we still had work to do. It highlighted the requirement for a sharper brand.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the criticism to consideration and reimagined Project ETHOS with a revitalized direction - one that’s positioned to deliver on its ambition to our players.

The trust in this project increases every day. To advance the remarkable development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome the new hire as the latest Lead of the team. Following several months of discussions, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s leadership and expertise in the competitive gaming genre is considerable, having devoted the last 15 years developing and managing some of the most well-known titles in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.

Please join me in receiving Ben soon. We are all eager to persist seeing the development of the game in the months to follow.

David

Background of the Incoming Head

Brinkman currently holds the role of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at major gaming companies in various development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had stints at other industry leaders.

Title Details and Concept

Project Ethos was revealed in last year alongside a public demo. At the time, 31st Union presented the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting advancement on the category."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the description explains. "Take on the opponents with new abilities, challenges, and obstacles that shift every match. Do you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively aim high, gamble everything, and trust your team can achieve the highest spot? The choice is yours."

The game has not yet received an official release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can expect further news as development advances.