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2K Games has welcomed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Leadership Shift Follows Poor Reception

The new appointee takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's lackluster initial reveal last fall.

Recently, the company's top executive a key figure updated employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which emphasized that playtesting had revealed the requirement for a distinct game identity.

Ismailer expressed that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a revised focus, aiming to satisfy player expectations.

Trend of Key Recruitment

The news follows a similar step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to work on the beloved franchise development group.

Below is the entire content from the president's memo:

Team—

I understand you all just completed your town hall - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Previously I sent you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and innovative developers we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that relationship to endure.”

With your dedication and flexibility, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The community feedback from last fall’s the game testing phase was informative. It validated the potential of a action-packed game but made clear we still had work to do. It uncovered the necessity for a sharper brand.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the criticism to heart and revamped Project ETHOS with a revitalized vision - one that’s positioned to fulfill its potential to our audience.

The trust in this project grows every day. To advance the remarkable development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Director of 31st Union. Following several months of talks, Ben starts with us on Monday, October 20.

His guidance and experience in the PVP shooter field is considerable, having dedicated the past decade and a half developing and overseeing some of the most recognizable titles in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.

Let’s together in welcoming him soon. We are all looking forward to continue seeing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to come.

David

Experience of the Incoming Leader

The appointee currently holds the role of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Information and Concept

Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a early access event. Then, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an exciting advancement on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the description reads. "Take on the competition with unique powers, stakes, and tests that shift every match. Do you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Or go big, risk it all, and hope your team can secure victory? The choice is yours."

The game does not have an confirmed release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can expect more updates as production progresses.