2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently developing the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Shift Comes After Mixed Feedback
Brinkman assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster early showing last autumn.
On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified employees about this organizational change through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had shown the need for a distinct game identity.
The president expressed that the developers is now overhauling the project with a revised focus, aiming to better meet gamer demands.
Trend of Key Hires
This announcement follows a comparable move taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the entire text from the president's announcement:
Team—
I know you all just completed your gathering - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a message, I stated the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most driven and talented designers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to endure.”
Given your hard work and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.
The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was enlightening. It affirmed the promise of a action-packed game but made clear we still had work to do. It revealed the necessity for a sharper brand.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You took the input to heart and overhauled Project ETHOS with a revitalized vision - one that’s ready to achieve its potential to our audience.
The belief in this project grows every day. To advance the outstanding progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce Ben Brinkman as the latest Lead of 31st Union. After a period of discussions, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.
His management and background in the PVP shooter space is vast, having spent the recent years developing and overseeing some of the most popular franchises in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.
Please join me in welcoming him in the coming days. We are all excited to continue observing the evolution of the game in the weeks to come.
The President
Experience of the Incoming Head
The appointee currently serves in the position of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He earlier was employed at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.
Game Information and Concept
Project Ethos was announced in last year together with a community playtest. At the time, the developers described the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative advancement on the category."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch reads. "Take on the opponents with fresh skills, risks, and tests that evolve every round. Will you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Or aim high, gamble everything, and trust your squad can earn top ranking? The option is up to you."
Project Ethos does not have an official release date or supported systems, but fans can anticipate additional details as creation continues.
