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2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the forthcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Change Comes After Lukewarm Reception

The new appointee steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing initial reveal last autumn.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer updated team members about this strategic move through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had shown the requirement for a clearer vision.

The president stated that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a refreshed focus, aiming to better meet community desires.

A Pattern of Key Hires

This announcement mirrors a comparable action taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the complete text from Ismailer's announcement:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just wrapped up your town hall - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and talented designers we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that relationship to endure.”

Through your commitment and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The community feedback from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was enlightening. It confirmed the potential of a action-packed game but told us we still had work to do. It highlighted the need for a sharper identity.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the feedback to mind and revamped Project ETHOS with a refreshed direction - one that’s poised to deliver on its promise to our audience.

Our confidence in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To boost the incredible advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to announce the new hire as the latest Studio Head of 31st Union. After a period of discussions, Ben officially joins us on the specified date.

His leadership and background in the PVP shooter space is extensive, having dedicated the recent years producing and leading some of the most recognizable titles in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in welcoming Ben in the coming days. We are all eager to continue observing the development of Project ETHOS in the months to come.

The President

Background of the New Leader

The appointee presently holds the position of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He previously worked at major gaming companies in various production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had periods at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Vision

Project Ethos was revealed in last year in conjunction with a public demo. At the time, 31st Union presented the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling advancement on the style."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to match your preferred approach," the official summary reads. "Challenge the competition with unique powers, challenges, and obstacles that evolve every match. Will you safely extract with your collected items? Alternatively go big, put it on the line, and trust your group can secure victory? The option is yours."

The game has not yet received an announced debut schedule or platforms, but enthusiasts can look forward to additional details as creation progresses.