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The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Leadership Change Follows Lukewarm Response

Brinkman assumes the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster early showing last fall.

Recently, 2K president David Ismailer updated team members about this organizational change through an official communication, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had shown the necessity for a clearer game identity.

Ismailer expressed that the developers is now overhauling the project with a revised vision, aiming to better meet gamer demands.

Trend of Key Hires

This announcement mirrors a similar action taken by 2K Games in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the BioShock development group.

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

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just completed your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative developers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that partnership to endure.”

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

The player input from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was informative. It validated the promise of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the necessity for a sharper vision.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the input to consideration and reimagined Project ETHOS with a revitalized direction - one that’s positioned to achieve its ambition to our players.

The trust in this project strengthens every day. To boost the outstanding advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce Ben Brinkman as the new Director of 31st Union. After several months of talks, Ben comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s leadership and background in the PVP shooter space is vast, having devoted the last 15 years creating and managing some of the most recognizable titles in gaming, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.

Let’s together in welcoming him in the coming days. We are all looking forward to keep observing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the time to follow.

David

Experience of the New Leader

Brinkman presently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, before that, had stints at other industry leaders.

Title Details and Vision

The upcoming game was revealed in last year alongside a early access event. Initially, 31st Union described the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting step forward on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the description explains. "Take on the rivals with new abilities, stakes, and challenges that change every match. Do you safely extract with your collected items? Alternatively aim high, gamble everything, and pray your squad can secure victory? The choice is up to you."

The game has not yet received an official release date or consoles, but enthusiasts can expect additional details as creation progresses.