🔗 Share this article

2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Management Transition Follows Mixed Feedback

Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster initial reveal last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer informed employees about this strategic move through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had shown the requirement for a distinct game identity.

Ismailer stated that the team is now reimagining the project with a refreshed approach, aiming to address player expectations.

A Pattern of Key Recruitment

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

Below is the complete message from Ismailer's announcement:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just wrapped up your town hall - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a message, I stated the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most driven and creative designers we have had the pleasure to work with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to persist.”

With your dedication and versatility, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The player input from last autumn’s Project ETHOS playtest was revealing. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the requirement for a sharper brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the input to consideration and revamped the title with a renewed vision - one that’s positioned to achieve its promise to our players.

The belief in Project ETHOS grows every day. To boost the incredible advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce the new hire as the incoming Studio Head of the team. After a period of discussions, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.

His leadership and expertise in the competitive gaming genre is extensive, having dedicated the past decade and a half developing and managing some of the most popular titles in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in welcoming Ben soon. We are all looking forward to persist witnessing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the months to ahead.

The President

Experience of the New Head

Brinkman currently serves in the position of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He earlier worked at major gaming companies in multiple development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, earlier in his career, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Vision

Project Ethos was announced in last year in conjunction with a community playtest. At the time, the developers portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an exciting step forward on the genre."

"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 unique powers, stakes, and challenges that evolve every match. Will you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or aim high, gamble everything, and hope your team can earn top ranking? The choice is in your hands."

Project Ethos lacks an confirmed launch window or supported systems, but fans can anticipate additional details as development progresses.