🔗 Share this article

2K Games has welcomed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Leadership Change Comes After Poor Reception

Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the exit of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's underwhelming unveiling last autumn.

Recently, 2K president a key figure notified staff about this organizational change through an internal memo, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had indicated the necessity for a more defined game identity.

Ismailer expressed that the developers is now overhauling the project with a revised vision, aiming to address community desires.

Trend of Key Recruitment

The news mirrors a similar move taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the full message from Ismailer's communication:

Dear Team—

I know you all just finished your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and creative creators we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to endure.”

Given your hard work and adaptability, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was revealing. It affirmed the potential of a action-packed game but told us we still had improvements to make. It revealed the necessity for a more distinct vision.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the feedback to heart and revamped Project ETHOS with a revitalized goal - one that’s positioned to achieve its promise to our audience.

The belief in this project increases every day. To advance the incredible development you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome the new hire as the latest Studio Head of the team. Following some time of discussions, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s leadership and expertise in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having devoted the last 15 years creating and leading some of the most popular series in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in greeting him soon. We are all eager to keep observing the progress of Project ETHOS in the months to come.

David

Background of the New Leader

The appointee currently serves in the role of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman previously worked at major gaming companies in various development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had periods at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Vision

Project Ethos was unveiled in last year together with a early access event. Then, the developers described the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative step forward on the style."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the game's pitch reads. "Take on the rivals with new abilities, stakes, and tests that evolve every match. Will you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Or take a risk, gamble everything, and hope your squad can earn top ranking? The choice is up to you."

The game does not have an announced launch window or supported systems, but players can look forward to further news as development progresses.