The Gaming Giant Hires Apex Legends Lead to Boost Troubled Action Game Project Ethos
2K Games has secured a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.
Management Change Follows Mixed Response
Brinkman assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' disappointing initial reveal last fall.
Recently, the company's top executive a key figure informed team members about this strategic move through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had indicated the necessity for a distinct vision.
The president noted that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a renewed focus, aiming to address player expectations.
Trend of Key Hires
The news mirrors a comparable move taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they brought on an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise development group.
Here is the entire message from the president's announcement:
Team—
I know you all just completed your town hall - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative creators we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to continue.”
Through your commitment and versatility, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.
The community feedback from last fall’s the game testing phase was enlightening. It confirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It revealed the need for a more distinct vision.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the input to mind and reimagined the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s ready to deliver on its ambition to our players.
The trust in Project ETHOS increases every day. To boost the outstanding development you’ve made, I’m excited to announce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of the team. After several months of conversations, he comes aboard us on the specified date.
Ben’s leadership and expertise in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having spent the recent years developing and overseeing some of the most well-known series in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.
Please join me in welcoming Ben next week. We are all looking forward to keep witnessing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the months to come.
The President
Experience of the New Leader
Brinkman presently serves in the role of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, prior to that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Information and Concept
The upcoming game was revealed in last year alongside a public demo. Initially, 31st Union described the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative advancement on the genre."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the official summary reads. "Face the competition with new abilities, risks, and challenges that change every session. Will you leave securely with your collected items? Alternatively aim high, gamble everything, and trust your group can earn top ranking? The decision is yours."
Project Ethos lacks an announced release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can anticipate further news as development advances.