🔗 Share this article

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

Management Transition Follows Mixed Feedback

The new appointee takes on the leadership position at 31st Union following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing unveiling last autumn.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure updated employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had shown the need for a clearer vision.

Ismailer stated that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a revised vision, aiming to satisfy player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Hires

The news echoes a similar move taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the BioShock development group.

Here is the full message from Ismailer's communication:

Dear Team—

I understand 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 update, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and innovative creators we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re excited for that relationship to continue.”

Given your hard work and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s the game playtest was informative. It confirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had work to do. It revealed the requirement for a clearer vision.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the feedback to heart and revamped the title with a revitalized direction - one that’s poised to achieve its potential to our audience.

Our confidence in this project increases every day. To advance the remarkable progress you’ve made, I’m excited to announce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of the team. Following some time of talks, Ben comes aboard us on the specified date.

Ben’s leadership and experience in the PVP shooter space is extensive, having spent the recent years producing and overseeing some of the most recognizable series in the industry, such as the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, Apex Legends.

Please join me in greeting him soon. We are all eager to persist seeing the development of Project ETHOS in the months to come.

David

Background of the New Head

The appointee presently holds the position of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, prior to that, had periods at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Vision

Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 alongside a public demo. Initially, 31st Union presented the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative advancement on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the official summary reads. "Face the competition with fresh skills, challenges, and tests that shift every match. Do you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively go big, risk it all, and hope your group can achieve the highest spot? The choice is yours."

Project Ethos does not have an official release date or platforms, but players can anticipate additional details as creation advances.