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2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently developing the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Management Shift Comes After Lukewarm Feedback

The new appointee assumes the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster initial reveal last autumn.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure updated team members about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had revealed the need for a clearer vision.

Ismailer expressed that the developers is now overhauling the project with a renewed vision, aiming to address player expectations.

Trend of Strategic Acquisitions

The news follows a comparable step taken by the publisher in August, when they hired an industry veteran from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the complete text from Ismailer's communication:

Team—

I understand you all just completed your gathering - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and innovative developers we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that relationship to continue.”

Through your commitment and adaptability, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It confirmed the promise of a action-packed game but indicated we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the necessity for a more distinct vision.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the feedback to consideration and overhauled the title with a refreshed direction - one that’s ready to achieve its potential to our players.

The trust in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To advance the incredible development you’ve made, I’m excited to announce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of the team. Following a period of conversations, Ben comes aboard us on the specified date.

Ben’s management and background in the competitive gaming genre is extensive, having spent the last 15 years creating and managing some of the most well-known titles in the industry, such as the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in greeting him next week. We are all looking forward to keep witnessing the development of Project ETHOS in the weeks to ahead.

David

Experience of the New Leader

Brinkman presently serves in the role of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Details and Concept

The upcoming game was unveiled in last year alongside a public demo. Initially, the developers portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling evolution on the style."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the description reads. "Challenge the rivals with unique powers, risks, and challenges that shift every match. Will you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Or go big, gamble everything, and trust your group can earn top ranking? The option is in your hands."

The game lacks an announced release date or consoles, but enthusiasts can expect further news as production advances.