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

Management Shift Comes After Mixed Feedback

Brinkman assumes the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' disappointing initial reveal last fall.

Recently, 2K president David Ismailer informed staff about this strategic move through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had indicated the requirement for a distinct vision.

Ismailer noted that the team is now overhauling the project with a revised approach, aiming to address player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions

The news follows a similar action taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the BioShock development group.

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

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just completed your town hall - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a message, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative designers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re excited for that relationship to continue.”

Through your commitment and flexibility, particularly over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.

The player input from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was informative. It validated the promise of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had work to do. It highlighted the requirement for a sharper identity.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the feedback to mind and overhauled the title with a revitalized direction - one that’s poised to deliver on its promise to our players.

Our confidence in this project strengthens every day. To boost the outstanding progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce the new hire as the latest Director of 31st Union. Following several months of talks, he starts with us on next week.

His guidance and experience in the competitive gaming genre is vast, having dedicated the last 15 years developing and overseeing some of the most popular titles in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in receiving him next week. We are all excited to persist seeing the development of the game in the weeks to ahead.

David

Experience of the Incoming Head

Brinkman currently serves in the role of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had stints at other industry leaders.

Title Details and Concept

The upcoming game was revealed in last year together with a community playtest. Initially, 31st Union described the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an exciting advancement on the style."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch explains. "Face the competition with new abilities, stakes, and tests that shift every match. Will you leave securely with your collected items? Or aim high, risk it all, and pray your squad can secure victory? The choice is in your hands."

The game lacks an announced launch window or supported systems, but players can anticipate additional details as creation continues.