2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the development team at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Management Shift Follows Lukewarm Reception
Brinkman takes on the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster unveiling last fall.
Recently, 2K president David Ismailer informed team members about this organizational change through an internal memo, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had revealed the necessity for a clearer vision.
Ismailer noted that the team is now overhauling the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to better meet community desires.
Trend of Strategic Acquisitions
This announcement echoes a comparable move taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise development group.
Below is the entire content from the president's memo:
Hello Everyone—
I know you all just wrapped up your gathering - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative designers we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to endure.”
Given your hard work and adaptability, especially over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.
The player input from last fall’s the game testing phase was revealing. It validated the potential of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had work to do. It highlighted the necessity for a sharper identity.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the feedback to mind and revamped Project ETHOS with a revitalized vision - one that’s positioned to fulfill its promise to our players.
The trust in Project ETHOS increases every day. To boost the incredible development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome Ben Brinkman as the latest Director of the team. After several months of conversations, Ben starts with us on the specified date.
Ben’s leadership and expertise in the PVP shooter space is vast, having spent the recent years developing and overseeing some of the most recognizable series in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.
I invite you all in receiving Ben in the coming days. We are all looking forward to persist witnessing the development of the game in the weeks to come.
David
Background of the New Head
Brinkman currently holds the role of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier was employed at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, before that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Details and Vision
Project Ethos was unveiled in last year in conjunction with a community playtest. Initially, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an innovative step forward 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 suit your personal playstyle," the description explains. "Face the rivals with unique powers, stakes, and challenges that change every round. Will you safely extract with your collected items? Or go big, put it on the line, and hope your team can secure victory? The choice is yours."
Project Ethos has not yet received an announced debut schedule or supported systems, but enthusiasts can anticipate further news as development advances.
