2K Games has welcomed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Leadership Change Follows Poor Feedback
The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's underwhelming initial reveal last autumn.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure updated employees about this decision through an internal memo, which highlighted that playtesting had shown the necessity for a distinct vision.
Ismailer stated that the developers is now reimagining the project with a revised approach, aiming to satisfy community desires.
Trend of Strategic Recruitment
This announcement mirrors a comparable step taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the full text from Ismailer's memo:
Hello Everyone—
I know you all just wrapped up your meeting - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative creators we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to endure.”
Given your hard work and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.
The player input from last autumn’s the game testing phase was revealing. It validated the appeal of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the necessity for a sharper identity.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You took the feedback to heart and revamped the title with a revitalized direction - one that’s poised to fulfill its potential to our audience.
The belief in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the remarkable progress you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome the new hire as the latest Studio Head of 31st Union. Following several months of conversations, Ben comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.
His guidance and background in the competitive gaming space is considerable, having spent the last 15 years developing and leading some of the most recognizable franchises in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.
Please join me in greeting him next week. We are all looking forward to persist seeing the progress of the game in the time to ahead.
David
Background of the New Leader
The appointee presently serves in the role of executive producer 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, prior to that, had periods at other industry leaders.
Title Information and Concept
The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. At the time, the developers portrayed the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative advancement on the category."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the description explains. "Take on the competition with unique powers, risks, and challenges that change every match. Do you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively aim high, risk it all, and trust your team can earn top ranking? The option is in your hands."
Project Ethos lacks an official launch window or supported systems, but enthusiasts can expect additional details as development continues.
