2K Games has welcomed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently developing the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Leadership Change Follows Mixed Feedback
The new appointee assumes the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster unveiling last fall.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified team members about this organizational change through an internal memo, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had indicated the necessity for a distinct vision.
Ismailer stated that the team is now refining the project with a refreshed approach, aiming to satisfy player expectations.
Trend of Key Recruitment
This announcement mirrors a comparable move taken by 2K Games in August, when they brought on an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise development group.
Below is the full text from the president's memo:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just completed your gathering - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a update, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative designers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to persist.”
With your dedication and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.
The gamer responses from last fall’s the game testing phase was enlightening. It validated the potential of a action-packed game but made clear we still had refinements needed. It revealed the requirement for a sharper identity.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the criticism to heart and reimagined the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s positioned to deliver on its promise to our fans.
The trust in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the incredible development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome the new hire as the new Lead of the team. Following several months of talks, he officially joins us on the specified date.
Ben’s guidance and experience in the competitive gaming field is extensive, having dedicated the last 15 years producing and overseeing some of the most recognizable titles in the industry, such as the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.
I invite you all in welcoming him in the coming days. We are all looking forward to keep observing the development of Project ETHOS in the weeks to follow.
David
Background of the New Head
The appointee currently serves in the position of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier worked at major gaming companies in multiple development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Information and Vision
Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 together with a public demo. At the time, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative step forward on the genre."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the description explains. "Take on the opponents with new abilities, stakes, and challenges that shift every session. Will you leave securely with your collected items? Or go big, put it on the line, and hope your group can achieve the highest spot? The option is up to you."
Project Ethos lacks an confirmed debut schedule or platforms, but enthusiasts can expect further news as development advances.
