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2K Games has welcomed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the forthcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Transition Follows Poor Response

The new appointee steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' underwhelming initial reveal last fall.

Recently, 2K president David Ismailer informed employees about this decision through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had shown the necessity for a distinct game identity.

The president stated that the developers is now overhauling the project with a renewed vision, aiming to better meet player expectations.

A Pattern of Key Acquisitions

The news echoes a comparable step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to work on the beloved franchise development group.

Here is the entire text from Ismailer's memo:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just completed your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a message, I expressed the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and talented creators we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that partnership to persist.”

Given your hard work and versatility, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The player input from last fall’s the game demo was enlightening. It confirmed the potential of a action-packed game but indicated we still had refinements needed. It revealed the need for a sharper brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the criticism to consideration and reimagined Project ETHOS with a revitalized vision - one that’s positioned to deliver on its potential to our fans.

Our confidence in Project ETHOS increases every day. To advance the outstanding progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce the new hire as the incoming Studio Head of the team. Following several months of discussions, Ben comes aboard us on next week.

Ben’s guidance and background in the PVP shooter space is extensive, having devoted the recent years creating and leading some of the most popular titles in the industry, for example the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in welcoming him in the coming days. We are all excited to continue observing the progress of Project ETHOS in the time to come.

The President

Background of the New Head

The appointee presently holds the role of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He earlier was employed at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Information and Vision

Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 together with a public demo. Then, the developers portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative 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 match your preferred approach," the game's pitch explains. "Challenge the rivals with fresh skills, challenges, and obstacles that evolve every session. Will you leave securely with your collected items? Or go big, gamble everything, and pray your squad can achieve the highest spot? The choice is yours."

Project Ethos does not have an official release date or consoles, but enthusiasts can anticipate further news as creation progresses.