🔗 Share this article

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

Management Shift Follows Lukewarm Feedback

The new appointee assumes the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' disappointing initial reveal last fall.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified employees about this strategic move through an internal memo, which emphasized that playtesting had indicated the requirement for a more defined vision.

The president stated that the team is now refining the project with a revised focus, aiming to satisfy community desires.

A Pattern of Key Recruitment

This announcement mirrors a similar action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to contribute to the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the complete content from the president's communication:

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 mentioned the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative designers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re eager for that partnership to endure.”

Through your commitment and flexibility, particularly over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.

The player input from last autumn’s Project ETHOS demo was informative. It validated the promise of a action-packed game but told us we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the requirement for a more distinct identity.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the criticism to mind and revamped Project ETHOS with a refreshed direction - one that’s poised to fulfill its promise to our audience.

The belief in this project grows every day. To boost the outstanding progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome Ben Brinkman as the incoming Lead of the team. After several months of discussions, he comes aboard us on the specified date.

Ben’s management and experience in the competitive gaming field is vast, having devoted the last 15 years developing and managing some of the most recognizable franchises in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in welcoming him in the coming days. We are all looking forward to persist observing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to follow.

David

Experience of the Incoming Leader

Brinkman currently serves in the position of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Title Information and Concept

Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. At the time, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling step forward on the style."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary states. "Challenge the competition with new abilities, stakes, and obstacles that evolve every match. Will you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Or go big, gamble everything, and pray your group can secure victory? The decision is up to you."

Project Ethos does not have an announced debut schedule or supported systems, but enthusiasts can anticipate further news as production progresses.