🔗 Share this article

2K Games has secured a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Transition Comes After Poor Reception

The new appointee assumes the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' disappointing early showing last fall.

Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified employees about this strategic move through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had revealed the requirement for a distinct game identity.

Ismailer stated that the developers is now refining the project with a refreshed focus, aiming to better meet player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Hires

The news mirrors a comparable step taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

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

Team—

I understand you all just finished your meeting - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a message, I stated the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and creative designers we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to persist.”

Given your hard work and versatility, especially over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s the game playtest was informative. It validated the promise of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the requirement for a more distinct identity.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the feedback to heart and revamped the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s positioned to achieve its potential to our players.

Our confidence in Project ETHOS grows every day. To boost the outstanding progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome Ben Brinkman as the latest Lead of the team. After a period of talks, he starts with us on the specified date.

His guidance and experience in the competitive gaming field is extensive, having devoted the past decade and a half producing and managing some of the most recognizable titles in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.

Please join me in receiving him soon. We are all looking forward to persist observing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to ahead.

David

Experience of the Incoming Head

Brinkman currently serves in the role of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He previously worked at major gaming companies in various production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, before that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Information and Vision

Project Ethos was announced in last year in conjunction with a community playtest. Initially, the developers described the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an innovative evolution on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the game's pitch states. "Take on the opponents with unique powers, risks, and obstacles that change every session. Will you safely extract with your collected items? Or aim high, gamble everything, and trust your group can secure victory? The decision is yours."

Project Ethos does not have an announced release date or platforms, but players can expect additional details as production continues.