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The renowned publisher has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift Comes After Lukewarm Response

The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the exit of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's lackluster early showing last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure informed team members about this decision through an internal memo, which emphasized that playtesting had indicated the need for a distinct direction.

The president expressed that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a renewed vision, aiming to satisfy community desires.

Trend of Strategic Hires

This announcement mirrors a similar action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.

Here is the full message from Ismailer's communication:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just completed your meeting - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Last time I shared you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented creators we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that relationship to endure.”

With your dedication and flexibility, especially over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.

The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was informative. It affirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the necessity for a sharper vision.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the criticism to consideration and revamped the title with a refreshed goal - one that’s poised to achieve its promise to our audience.

The belief in this project increases every day. To advance the outstanding progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce the new hire as the latest Director of 31st Union. Following several months of conversations, Ben starts with us on next week.

Ben’s leadership and background in the competitive gaming space is vast, having spent the recent years producing and managing some of the most recognizable series in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.

Please join me in greeting him next week. We are all looking forward to continue seeing the development of Project ETHOS in the time to come.

The President

Experience of the New Leader

The appointee presently holds the position of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in various development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Information and Vision

Project Ethos was revealed in last year in conjunction with a community playtest. At the time, 31st Union presented the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an exciting step forward on the style."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary reads. "Take on the rivals with unique powers, risks, and tests that shift every match. Will you safely extract with your collected items? Or go big, gamble everything, and trust your squad can achieve the highest spot? The choice is in your hands."

Project Ethos does not have an announced debut schedule or platforms, but fans can expect further news as production progresses.