The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the development team at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Management Shift Comes After Poor Reception
The new appointee assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster unveiling last fall.
On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer informed employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which highlighted that playtesting had shown the requirement for a clearer direction.
The president noted that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a renewed vision, aiming to satisfy player expectations.
Trend of Strategic Hires
This announcement echoes a comparable step taken by the publisher in August, when they hired an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise development group.
Below is the entire text from Ismailer's memo:
Dear Team—
I know you all just completed your town hall - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented designers we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re eager for that partnership to endure.”
Given your hard work and adaptability, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The gamer responses from last fall’s the game playtest was informative. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the necessity for a clearer identity.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the input to heart and reimagined the title with a revitalized vision - one that’s positioned to deliver on its ambition to our audience.
Our confidence in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the outstanding progress you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce the new hire as the new Lead of 31st Union. Following some time of discussions, Ben starts with us on the specified date.
His management and expertise in the PVP shooter space is extensive, having dedicated the recent years developing and overseeing some of the most well-known franchises in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.
I invite you all in welcoming Ben soon. We are all excited to keep seeing the evolution of the game in the time to come.
The President
Background of the New Head
The appointee presently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at other industry leaders.
Title Information and Vision
Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 alongside a early access event. At the time, the developers described the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting evolution 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 description reads. "Face the rivals with new abilities, stakes, and tests that evolve every session. Do you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively aim high, put it on the line, and hope your squad can secure victory? The choice is in your hands."
Project Ethos lacks an official launch window or platforms, but players can anticipate further news as production advances.
