The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently developing the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.
Management Shift Comes After Poor Reception
Brinkman assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's underwhelming early showing last fall.
On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer notified team members about this decision through an internal memo, which emphasized that playtesting had shown the need for a distinct vision.
The president stated that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a renewed approach, aiming to better meet gamer demands.
A Pattern of Strategic Recruitment
This announcement echoes a similar action taken by the publisher in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to work on the BioShock development group.
Below is the full content from the president's communication:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just wrapped up your town hall - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Previously I sent you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most driven and talented developers we have had the pleasure to work with - and we’re excited for that partnership to endure.”
Through your commitment 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 action-packed game but made clear we still had improvements to make. It revealed the need for a sharper brand.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the input to heart and reimagined the title with a refreshed goal - one that’s positioned to fulfill its ambition to our audience.
Our confidence in this project grows every day. To further the incredible development you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce the new hire as the incoming Director of the team. Following several months of discussions, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s management and experience in the PVP shooter field is considerable, having devoted the past decade and a half developing and overseeing some of the most well-known franchises in gaming, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, the battle royale hit.
I invite you all in greeting him in the coming days. We are all looking forward to continue observing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the months to come.
The President
Background of the New Head
Brinkman currently serves in the role of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier was employed at major gaming companies in multiple development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had stints at other industry leaders.
Game Information and Concept
The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. Then, the developers described the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling step forward on the category."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the description reads. "Take on the opponents with fresh skills, risks, and challenges that change every session. Do you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Alternatively go big, gamble everything, and hope your team can earn top ranking? The decision is up to you."
Project Ethos lacks an confirmed release date or consoles, but players can anticipate further news as development advances.
