🔗 Share this article

2K Games has secured a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at their internal studio, which is currently developing the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift Comes After Poor Reception

The new appointee assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster unveiling last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer notified team members about this strategic move through an official communication, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had revealed the need for a distinct vision.

The president expressed that the team is now refining the project with a refreshed focus, aiming to address player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Recruitment

This announcement follows a similar step taken by 2K Games in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the complete message from the president's memo:

Team—

I know you all just wrapped up your town hall - 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 am confident in this group. You all are some of the most driven and creative developers we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to persist.”

With your dedication and versatility, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The player input from last fall’s the game playtest was informative. It affirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but made clear we still had work to do. It revealed the requirement for a sharper identity.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the criticism to mind and revamped Project ETHOS with a refreshed vision - one that’s ready to fulfill its promise to our players.

The trust in this project increases every day. To further the outstanding development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome the new hire as the latest Lead of the team. After some time of discussions, he officially joins us on next week.

Ben’s guidance and expertise in the competitive gaming space is considerable, having devoted the recent years creating and overseeing some of the most recognizable franchises in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in greeting Ben next week. We are all looking forward to keep seeing the development of the game in the weeks to come.

David

Background of the New Leader

Brinkman presently serves in the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Vision

The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 together with a early access event. Initially, 31st Union described the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling step forward on the genre."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the official summary explains. "Face the competition with fresh skills, stakes, and tests that evolve every round. Do you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively go big, gamble everything, and trust your group can achieve the highest spot? The decision is up to you."

The game has not yet received an announced debut schedule or consoles, but fans can anticipate additional details as creation continues.