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2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the development team at their internal studio, which is currently developing the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Transition Comes After Mixed Response

The new appointee takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's underwhelming unveiling last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified staff about this decision through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had shown the requirement for a clearer game identity.

Ismailer expressed that the team is now reimagining the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to address community desires.

A Pattern of Strategic Hires

This announcement follows a comparable step taken by 2K Games in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the BioShock development group.

Here is the entire text from Ismailer's communication:

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just finished your town hall - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Previously I sent you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and talented designers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that relationship to endure.”

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

The community feedback from last autumn’s Project ETHOS demo was revealing. It affirmed the promise of a action-packed game but indicated we still had work to do. It uncovered the necessity for a clearer brand.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the feedback to mind and overhauled Project ETHOS with a revitalized direction - one that’s poised to achieve its promise to our audience.

Our confidence in this project increases every day. To boost the incredible development you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce the new hire as the latest Lead of 31st Union. After a period of conversations, he comes aboard us on next week.

His guidance and experience in the PVP shooter field is considerable, having spent the past decade and a half creating and leading some of the most recognizable series in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in greeting Ben next week. We are all excited to continue witnessing the evolution of the game in the time to follow.

The President

Experience of the Incoming Leader

The appointee currently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Title Information and Vision

The upcoming game was unveiled in last year alongside a community playtest. Then, 31st Union described the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative evolution on the category."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the description states. "Face the opponents with unique powers, challenges, and tests that shift every session. Will you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Alternatively go big, gamble everything, and trust your group can secure victory? The decision is yours."

Project Ethos has not yet received an confirmed launch window or platforms, but fans can anticipate further news as development continues.