The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Management Change Follows Lukewarm Reception
Brinkman steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' disappointing early showing last autumn.
On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified team members about this strategic move through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had indicated the need for a distinct game identity.
The president stated that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a renewed vision, aiming to satisfy community desires.
Trend of Key Acquisitions
This announcement mirrors a comparable step taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the full text from the president's communication:
Team—
I understand you all just wrapped up your gathering - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Previously I shared you all a update, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most driven and talented creators we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re eager for that partnership to endure.”
Through your commitment and versatility, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS playtest was revealing. It affirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had improvements to make. It revealed the need for a clearer brand.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the feedback to heart and overhauled the title with a renewed vision - one that’s ready to achieve its ambition to our fans.
The belief in this project strengthens every day. To advance the outstanding development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of 31st Union. After a period of talks, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20.
His guidance and background in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having dedicated the recent years creating and overseeing some of the most recognizable titles in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.
Please join me in welcoming Ben next week. We are all looking forward to continue witnessing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the months to follow.
The President
Experience of the Incoming Head
The appointee presently holds the position of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had stints at other industry leaders.
Game Details and Vision
Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 alongside a early access event. Then, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an thrilling evolution on the genre."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the official summary states. "Challenge the rivals with fresh skills, challenges, and challenges that evolve every match. Do you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively go big, put it on the line, and trust your squad can earn top ranking? The choice is yours."
The game does not have an official release date or supported systems, but fans can look forward to further news as creation progresses.
