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2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the development team at their internal studio, which is currently working on the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift Follows Poor Feedback

The new appointee takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster unveiling last fall.

Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified staff about this decision through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had shown the necessity for a clearer game identity.

Ismailer expressed that the developers is now reimagining the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to better meet community desires.

Trend of Strategic Acquisitions

The news echoes a comparable move taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to contribute to the BioShock development group.

Here is the entire message from Ismailer's memo:

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just completed your meeting - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a note, I expressed the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most driven and talented creators we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re excited for that relationship to persist.”

Given your hard work and versatility, especially over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS playtest was revealing. It affirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the necessity for a more distinct brand.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the criticism to mind and revamped the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s poised to achieve its ambition to our players.

The belief in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To advance the incredible development you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of the team. After some time of discussions, Ben starts with us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s leadership and background in the competitive gaming space is considerable, having devoted the past decade and a half developing and managing some of the most recognizable titles in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in greeting Ben in the coming days. We are all excited to continue seeing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the months to ahead.

David

Background of the Incoming Head

The appointee currently holds the role of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously worked at major gaming companies in various production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had periods at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Vision

The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a early access event. Then, 31st Union presented the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling advancement on the category."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the description states. "Challenge the rivals with fresh skills, stakes, and tests that change every match. Will you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively take a risk, risk it all, and pray your group can earn top ranking? The decision is yours."

The game does not have an confirmed launch window or platforms, but players can expect more updates as production continues.