2K Games has secured a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Leadership Shift Comes After Poor Response
Brinkman steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's disappointing initial reveal last autumn.
Recently, 2K president David Ismailer informed staff about this strategic move through an internal memo, which emphasized that playtesting had indicated the need for a more defined direction.
Ismailer noted that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a renewed vision, aiming to satisfy player expectations.
A Pattern of Strategic Hires
The news follows a comparable move taken by the publisher in August, when they hired an industry veteran from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the full content from the president's memo:
Team—
I understand you all just finished your meeting - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and creative creators we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to continue.”
With your dedication and adaptability, especially over the last year, you continue to prove that.
The community feedback from last fall’s Project ETHOS playtest was enlightening. It affirmed the potential of a action-packed game but made clear we still had work to do. It uncovered the necessity for a sharper vision.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the feedback to consideration and revamped the title with a revitalized goal - one that’s ready to fulfill its promise to our audience.
The belief in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To boost the incredible advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce Ben Brinkman as the new Lead of the team. After several months of discussions, he officially joins us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s management and background in the competitive gaming space is considerable, having spent the last 15 years creating and overseeing some of the most recognizable franchises in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.
I invite you all in welcoming him next week. We are all looking forward to persist witnessing the progress of Project ETHOS in the months to follow.
The President
Experience of the New Leader
The appointee currently holds the role of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in multiple production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had assignments at other industry leaders.
Game Information and Vision
The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a public demo. At the time, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting evolution 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 description explains. "Face the competition with unique powers, challenges, and obstacles that change every match. Will you leave securely with your collected items? Or take a risk, risk it all, and trust your group can secure victory? The option is yours."
Project Ethos has not yet received an confirmed launch window or supported systems, but players can expect additional details as production continues.
