2K Games has welcomed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the anticipated over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as this innovative game.
Leadership Change Comes After Lukewarm Feedback
The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at the development studio following the departure of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming initial reveal last fall.
On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure informed employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had shown the requirement for a clearer direction.
Ismailer stated that the team is now reimagining the project with a revised approach, aiming to address player expectations.
Trend of Strategic Acquisitions
This announcement echoes a similar move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to work on the BioShock development group.
Below is the full content from Ismailer's communication:
Team—
I understand you all just completed your town hall - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a message, I stated the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and creative designers we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to continue.”
Given your hard work and versatility, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The player input from last autumn’s the game playtest was enlightening. It affirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the necessity for a more distinct brand.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the feedback to mind and revamped the title with a renewed goal - one that’s poised to deliver on its ambition to our players.
The trust in this project grows every day. To boost the incredible advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to announce the new hire as the new Studio Head of 31st Union. Following a period of talks, Ben comes aboard us on the specified date.
His leadership and experience in the PVP shooter space is extensive, having dedicated the last 15 years producing and managing some of the most well-known titles in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and lately, the battle royale hit.
Please join me in greeting him soon. We are all excited to keep witnessing the development of Project ETHOS in the weeks to ahead.
The President
Experience of the New Leader
The appointee currently holds the position of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Details and Vision
Project Ethos was unveiled in last year alongside a community playtest. Initially, the developers portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling advancement on the category."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary reads. "Face the competition with fresh skills, stakes, and challenges that change every match. Will you leave securely with your collected items? Or go big, risk it all, and trust your group can achieve the highest spot? The choice is up to you."
Project Ethos does not have an official launch window or supported systems, but players can look forward to more updates as creation continues.
