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 anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Management Change Comes After Poor Feedback
The new appointee assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster early showing last fall.
On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer informed staff about this organizational change through an internal memo, which highlighted that playtesting had indicated the need for a more defined direction.
The president noted that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to satisfy player expectations.
Trend of Strategic Acquisitions
This announcement follows a similar action taken by 2K Games in August, when they hired an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the complete text from the president's memo:
Team—
I know you all just wrapped up your gathering - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a message, I stated the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative creators we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to endure.”
With your dedication and adaptability, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.
The community feedback from last fall’s Project ETHOS playtest was enlightening. It confirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had work to do. It highlighted the necessity for a clearer vision.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the criticism to consideration and reimagined Project ETHOS with a revitalized direction - one that’s positioned to deliver on its promise to our fans.
The trust in Project ETHOS increases every day. To boost the outstanding advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome Ben Brinkman as the new Lead of the team. Following some time of discussions, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20.
His guidance and background in the competitive gaming genre is vast, having devoted the recent years creating and overseeing some of the most well-known franchises in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, Apex Legends.
Let’s together in welcoming Ben next week. We are all eager to keep witnessing the progress of Project ETHOS in the time to follow.
David
Experience of the Incoming Leader
The appointee presently serves in the position of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously was employed at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had assignments at other industry leaders.
Title Details and Concept
Project Ethos was unveiled in last year together with a early access event. Initially, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting evolution on the category."
"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 description reads. "Face the competition with fresh skills, stakes, and tests that evolve every match. Do you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Or take a risk, put it on the line, and trust your group can secure victory? The choice is yours."
The game lacks an confirmed launch window or supported systems, but players can anticipate additional details as creation continues.
