2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the development team at their internal studio, which is currently developing the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Change Follows Lukewarm Reception
The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' disappointing initial reveal last fall.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure informed staff about this decision through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had revealed the need for a clearer direction.
Ismailer noted that the team is now reimagining the project with a renewed vision, aiming to better meet community desires.
A Pattern of Key Acquisitions
This announcement echoes a comparable move taken by 2K Games in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the full text from the president's announcement:
Hello Everyone—
I know you all just completed your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Previously I shared you all a note, I expressed the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and creative developers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re eager for that partnership to endure.”
Through your commitment and adaptability, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The community feedback from last autumn’s the game demo was informative. It confirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but made clear we still had work to do. It highlighted the requirement for a sharper brand.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You took the input to mind and reimagined Project ETHOS with a renewed goal - one that’s positioned to deliver on its promise to our audience.
The trust in Project ETHOS increases every day. To advance the incredible advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to announce the new hire as the incoming Lead of 31st Union. After a period of conversations, Ben starts with us on the specified date.
His management and expertise in the PVP shooter space is considerable, having dedicated the recent years creating and managing some of the most well-known titles in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.
Please join me in receiving him in the coming days. We are all eager to persist observing the development of Project ETHOS in the months to follow.
David
Background of the Incoming Head
Brinkman presently serves in the position of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had assignments at other industry leaders.
Title Information and Concept
The upcoming game was unveiled in last year alongside a community playtest. Initially, the developers described the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an exciting step forward on the style."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch reads. "Take on the rivals with new abilities, challenges, and challenges that change every session. Will you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Or aim high, put it on the line, and pray your squad can earn top ranking? The decision is up to you."
The game lacks an official debut schedule or supported systems, but fans can expect additional details as development advances.
