🔗 Share this article

2K Games has secured a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to direct the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Leadership Shift Comes After Poor Feedback

Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the exit of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing initial reveal last fall.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified staff about this organizational change through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had shown the necessity for a distinct direction.

Ismailer stated that the team is now reimagining the project with a revised focus, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.

A Pattern of Key Acquisitions

The news mirrors a comparable move taken by 2K Games in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the BioShock development group.

Here is the complete text from the president's memo:

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just wrapped up your town hall - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Last time I shared you all a message, I stated the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most driven and innovative designers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re excited for that partnership to endure.”

Through your commitment and versatility, especially over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.

The player input from last autumn’s Project ETHOS playtest was enlightening. It confirmed the potential of a action-packed game but indicated we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the requirement for a clearer identity.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the feedback to consideration and overhauled the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s positioned to fulfill its potential to our fans.

The belief in Project ETHOS grows every day. To boost the incredible progress you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome Ben Brinkman as the incoming Director of the team. After several months of discussions, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20.

His management and experience in the PVP shooter space is vast, having spent the recent years developing and managing some of the most well-known titles in the industry, for example the acclaimed shooter, and lately, Apex Legends.

Let’s together in welcoming him soon. We are all looking forward to keep seeing the development of Project ETHOS in the weeks to follow.

The President

Background of the New Leader

The appointee currently holds the position of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had stints at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Vision

The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a public demo. At the time, 31st Union presented the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an thrilling evolution on the style."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to match your preferred approach," the official summary reads. "Face the competition with new abilities, stakes, and obstacles that shift every match. Do you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Or aim high, put it on the line, and trust your group can earn top ranking? The decision is in your hands."

Project Ethos lacks an announced launch window or platforms, but players can anticipate more updates as development progresses.