2K Games has secured a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently developing the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Management Transition Follows Poor Reception
The new appointee steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' disappointing initial reveal last fall.
Recently, 2K president a key figure updated team members about this strategic move through an internal memo, which emphasized that playtesting had shown the necessity for a more defined vision.
The president expressed that the team is now reimagining the project with a revised approach, aiming to better meet community desires.
A Pattern of Strategic Recruitment
This announcement follows a similar move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to work on the beloved franchise development group.
Below is the complete 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. Last time I sent you all a note, I stated the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative developers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that relationship to persist.”
With your dedication and versatility, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.
The player input from last fall’s the game demo was enlightening. It validated the appeal of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had work to do. It revealed the requirement for a more distinct brand.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the criticism to heart and overhauled the title with a refreshed direction - one that’s positioned to deliver on its ambition to our players.
The trust in Project ETHOS grows every day. To boost the incredible progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome the new hire as the latest Director of the team. Following a period of conversations, Ben starts with us on Monday, October 20.
His leadership and background in the competitive gaming space is considerable, having spent the last 15 years creating and leading some of the most well-known series in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.
I invite you all in greeting Ben soon. We are all looking forward to keep seeing the evolution of the game in the weeks to follow.
The President
Background of the Incoming Leader
Brinkman currently holds the role of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.
Title Details and Concept
Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 alongside a early access event. Initially, 31st Union described the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an exciting evolution on the category."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the description reads. "Face the competition with unique powers, stakes, and obstacles that change every session. Will you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively aim high, risk it all, and hope your team can achieve the highest spot? The choice is yours."
The game does not have an confirmed release date or consoles, but players can expect additional details as creation advances.
