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

Management Change Follows Poor Reception

The new appointee steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the exit of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's lackluster early showing last autumn.

Recently, 2K president David Ismailer informed team members about this organizational change through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had shown the requirement for a more defined game identity.

The president noted that the team is now overhauling the project with a revised approach, aiming to address player expectations.

A Pattern of Key Hires

The news mirrors a similar step taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the BioShock development group.

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

Dear Team—

I know you all just finished your town hall - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a message, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and creative designers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re excited for that relationship to continue.”

With your dedication and versatility, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The community feedback from last fall’s the game playtest was revealing. It validated the promise of a action-packed game but indicated we still had work to do. It highlighted the need for a sharper identity.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the criticism to heart and overhauled the title with a refreshed goal - one that’s ready to achieve its potential to our audience.

The belief in this project increases every day. To advance the incredible advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce Ben Brinkman as the new Lead of 31st Union. After some time of discussions, Ben starts with us on the specified date.

Ben’s guidance and background in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having devoted the recent years creating and leading some of the most popular franchises in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in greeting Ben next week. We are all looking forward to continue witnessing the evolution of the game in the time to ahead.

The President

Experience of the New Leader

The appointee currently serves in the position of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in various development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Details and Concept

Project Ethos was revealed in last year alongside a early access event. Initially, the developers described the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting advancement 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 match your preferred approach," the description states. "Take on the opponents with fresh skills, risks, and tests that evolve every match. Do you safely extract with your collected items? Alternatively take a risk, put it on the line, and hope your group can secure victory? The decision is yours."

Project Ethos lacks an announced launch window or platforms, but enthusiasts can expect more updates as development progresses.