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2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the forthcoming third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Management Shift Follows Poor Reception

Brinkman takes on the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing initial reveal last fall.

Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer updated team members about this strategic move through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had shown the need for a distinct game identity.

Ismailer noted that the developers is now overhauling the project with a renewed focus, aiming to satisfy community desires.

A Pattern of Strategic Recruitment

The news follows a similar action taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise development group.

Below is the complete content from Ismailer's communication:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just wrapped up your meeting - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a note, I expressed the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and creative designers we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that relationship to persist.”

Through your commitment and versatility, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The community feedback from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was revealing. It validated the appeal of a action-packed game but indicated we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the requirement for a more distinct vision.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You took the input to heart and revamped the title with a revitalized vision - one that’s ready to achieve its ambition to our audience.

The trust in this project strengthens every day. To advance the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce the new hire as the new Studio Head of 31st Union. Following several months of discussions, Ben starts with us on the specified date.

Ben’s leadership and experience in the PVP shooter field is considerable, having spent the last 15 years creating and managing some of the most recognizable series in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in receiving him in the coming days. We are all excited to keep witnessing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to ahead.

David

Background of the New Leader

Brinkman presently serves in the role of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously worked at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Vision

Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a early access event. At the time, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative evolution on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the official summary explains. "Challenge the opponents with new abilities, stakes, and tests that shift every match. Do you safely extract with your collected items? Alternatively take a risk, gamble everything, and hope your group can secure victory? The choice is in your hands."

The game lacks an official launch window or supported systems, but players can anticipate further news as production progresses.