2K Brings Onboard Popular Battle Royale Developer to Rescue Struggling Hero Shooter Project Ethos

The renowned publisher has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Change Comes After Poor Feedback

The new appointee assumes the leadership position at 31st Union following the exit of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' underwhelming initial reveal last fall.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified team members about this strategic move through an internal memo, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had indicated the necessity for a more defined direction.

Ismailer stated that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a revised focus, aiming to address player expectations.

Trend of Key Acquisitions

The news echoes a comparable step taken by 2K Games in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to work on the beloved franchise development group.

Below is the complete content from Ismailer's announcement:

Dear Team—

I know you all just completed your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and innovative developers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re eager for that partnership to continue.”

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

The gamer responses from last autumn’s the game playtest was enlightening. It validated the appeal of a action-packed game but indicated we still had work to do. It uncovered the requirement for a sharper brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You embraced the criticism to consideration and reimagined Project ETHOS with a refreshed direction - one that’s poised to fulfill its promise to our audience.

The trust in this project strengthens every day. To further the outstanding development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of 31st Union. Following several months of discussions, Ben officially joins us on the specified date.

Ben’s management and background in the PVP shooter genre is considerable, having spent the last 15 years developing and overseeing some of the most well-known series in gaming, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in greeting Ben next week. We are all eager to continue seeing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the time to follow.

The President

Experience of the Incoming Leader

The appointee presently serves in the role of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Concept

Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a early access event. Initially, the developers described the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling advancement on the category."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the description reads. "Challenge the opponents with unique powers, risks, and tests that change every match. Will you safely extract with your collected items? Alternatively aim high, risk it all, and trust your group can earn top ranking? The option is yours."

The game does not have an announced release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can anticipate additional details as development advances.