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The renowned publisher has welcomed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently developing the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Leadership Change Follows Mixed Feedback

The new appointee steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing early showing last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer notified staff about this decision through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had indicated the necessity for a distinct game identity.

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

A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions

The news echoes a similar move taken by the publisher in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the full text from Ismailer's communication:

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just completed your town hall - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative designers we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that partnership to endure.”

With your dedication and flexibility, particularly over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was informative. It affirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had work to do. It uncovered the requirement for a clearer vision.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the feedback to mind and reimagined the title with a refreshed goal - one that’s ready to fulfill its promise to our audience.

Our confidence in this project strengthens every day. To advance the remarkable development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce the new hire as the incoming Studio Head of the team. Following a period of talks, he starts with us on the specified date.

His guidance and experience in the competitive gaming genre is considerable, having dedicated the recent years creating and leading some of the most recognizable titles in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in welcoming him in the coming days. We are all looking forward to keep witnessing the progress of the game in the weeks to ahead.

David

Experience of the Incoming Leader

Brinkman presently holds the position of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Title Details and Vision

The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 alongside a public demo. At the time, the developers presented the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an thrilling step forward on the genre."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch explains. "Take on the competition with unique powers, stakes, and obstacles that evolve every session. Do you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively take a risk, risk it all, and hope your team can achieve the highest spot? The choice is yours."

Project Ethos does not have an confirmed launch window or platforms, but fans can look forward to additional details as development advances.