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2K Games has secured a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the forthcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Change Follows Poor Reception

Brinkman takes on the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' disappointing initial reveal last autumn.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure updated team members about this decision through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had shown the necessity for a distinct game identity.

The president stated that the team is now refining the project with a revised focus, aiming to better meet gamer demands.

A Pattern of Strategic Recruitment

This announcement mirrors a similar move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise development group.

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

Team—

I know you all just finished your gathering - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Last time I shared you all a note, I expressed the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative developers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re excited for that partnership to continue.”

With your dedication and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS playtest was revealing. It confirmed the promise of a action-packed game but made clear we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the need for a clearer brand.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the feedback to heart and overhauled Project ETHOS with a refreshed direction - one that’s poised to fulfill its potential to our audience.

The trust in this project increases every day. To boost the remarkable progress you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce the new hire as the incoming Studio Head of the team. After several months of talks, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20.

His management and expertise in the PVP shooter space is considerable, having devoted the recent years creating and managing some of the most popular series in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in welcoming him next week. We are all excited to continue witnessing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the time to come.

The President

Background of the New Head

The appointee presently holds the position of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Details and Vision

Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. At the time, the developers described the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling evolution on the genre."

"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 official summary explains. "Face the competition with fresh skills, stakes, and tests that change every match. Do you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively go big, put it on the line, and trust your team can secure victory? The option is up to you."

The game does not have an confirmed release date or platforms, but enthusiasts can anticipate more updates as production advances.