🔗 Share this article

The renowned publisher has welcomed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the development team at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Leadership Change Comes After Mixed Reception

The new appointee takes on the leadership position at 31st Union following the departure of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster unveiling last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer notified staff about this decision through an internal memo, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had shown the need for a more defined game identity.

The president stated that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a renewed vision, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.

Trend of Strategic Acquisitions

This announcement follows a comparable step taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the full message from Ismailer's memo:

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 shared you all a message, I stated the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented creators we have had the chance to work with - and we’re excited for that partnership to continue.”

Given your hard work and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The community feedback from last autumn’s the game playtest was informative. It confirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but made clear we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the need for a sharper brand.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the feedback to consideration and overhauled Project ETHOS with a revitalized direction - one that’s ready to deliver on its ambition to our audience.

Our confidence in Project ETHOS grows every day. To advance the incredible progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce the new hire as the latest Lead of the team. After some time of talks, he officially joins us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s guidance and background in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having spent the past decade and a half producing and managing some of the most popular titles in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and lately, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in welcoming Ben soon. We are all eager to keep seeing the progress of Project ETHOS in the weeks to come.

The President

Experience of the New Leader

Brinkman presently serves in the position of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He earlier was employed at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, prior to that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Details and Vision

The upcoming game was revealed in last year in conjunction with a community playtest. At the time, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting step forward on the genre."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the description reads. "Take on the rivals with new abilities, stakes, and obstacles that shift every match. Will you leave securely with your collected items? Alternatively aim high, risk it all, and trust your team can secure victory? The choice is up to you."

Project Ethos lacks an confirmed debut schedule or platforms, but fans can look forward to more updates as development continues.