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2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the development team at their internal studio, which is currently working on the anticipated over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Transition Follows Poor Reception

Brinkman assumes the role of studio head at the development studio following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing unveiling last fall.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer informed employees about this strategic move through an internal memo, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had shown the requirement for a distinct game identity.

Ismailer stated that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a revised focus, aiming to address community desires.

A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions

The news echoes a comparable step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the BioShock development group.

Below is the full text from Ismailer's communication:

Dear Team—

I know you all just wrapped up your gathering - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a message, I expressed the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and innovative developers we have had the pleasure to work with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to persist.”

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

The community feedback from last autumn’s the game demo was enlightening. It affirmed the promise of a action-packed game but told us we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the requirement for a clearer vision.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the feedback to consideration and overhauled Project ETHOS with a renewed direction - one that’s positioned to achieve its ambition to our audience.

The belief in Project ETHOS increases every day. To boost the outstanding progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome the new hire as the incoming Lead of 31st Union. Following several months of discussions, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.

His management and experience in the competitive gaming space is considerable, having dedicated the last 15 years developing and leading some of the most popular titles in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in welcoming him soon. We are all looking forward to continue witnessing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the time to ahead.

David

Background of the Incoming Head

Brinkman presently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Vision

The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. Then, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling 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 fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch reads. "Challenge the competition with unique powers, challenges, and tests that evolve every match. Do you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively take a risk, put it on the line, and pray your squad can earn top ranking? The choice is up to you."

Project Ethos does not have an announced release date or consoles, but players can look forward to more updates as creation progresses.