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2K Games has secured a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift Follows Poor Feedback

The new appointee steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster initial reveal last fall.

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

The president noted that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a revised approach, aiming to address player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions

This announcement echoes a comparable move taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to work on the beloved franchise development group.

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

Team—

I know you all just finished your gathering - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Previously I sent you all a note, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most driven and talented creators we have had the chance to work with - and we’re excited for that partnership to persist.”

Given your hard work and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The player input from last autumn’s Project ETHOS demo was informative. It affirmed the potential of a action-packed game but made clear we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the requirement for a more distinct identity.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the criticism to mind and revamped Project ETHOS with a revitalized direction - one that’s positioned to deliver on its promise to our players.

The trust in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the incredible progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce Ben Brinkman as the latest Director of the team. After a period of talks, Ben comes aboard us on next week.

Ben’s management and background in the competitive gaming field is vast, having devoted the recent years producing and overseeing some of the most popular series in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in greeting him next week. We are all eager to continue observing the evolution of the game in the months to come.

The President

Background of the New Leader

The appointee currently holds the position of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He earlier was employed at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had periods at other industry leaders.

Title Information and Concept

Project Ethos was revealed in last year together with a public demo. At the time, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting advancement on the style."

"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 official summary explains. "Face the competition with unique powers, stakes, and challenges that change every round. Do you safely extract with your collected items? Alternatively take a risk, risk it all, and trust your group can earn top ranking? The decision is in your hands."

Project Ethos lacks an confirmed debut schedule or consoles, but players can expect additional details as production continues.