🔗 Share this article

2K Games has welcomed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the development team at their internal studio, which is currently working on the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Leadership Change Comes After Lukewarm Reception

The new appointee 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' underwhelming initial reveal last fall.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer updated team members about this strategic move through an internal memo, which emphasized that playtesting had indicated the necessity for a clearer vision.

Ismailer noted that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to better meet player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions

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

Below is the full text from the president's communication:

Team—

I know you all just finished your town hall - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a update, I stated the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative creators we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to continue.”

Through your commitment and adaptability, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was enlightening. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had improvements to make. It revealed the need for a more distinct identity.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You took the input to mind and overhauled Project ETHOS with a renewed vision - one that’s positioned to fulfill its potential to our fans.

Our confidence in Project ETHOS grows every day. To advance the incredible development you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome Ben Brinkman as the latest Director of the team. After a period of discussions, he comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s guidance and background in the competitive gaming space is extensive, having devoted the recent years producing and overseeing some of the most popular series in the industry, such as the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in welcoming Ben soon. We are all looking forward to continue observing the progress of the game in the time to ahead.

David

Experience of the Incoming Head

Brinkman currently serves in the position of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Vision

The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 together with a community playtest. Then, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting evolution on the style."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in real-time to match your preferred approach," the game's pitch reads. "Face the competition with fresh skills, stakes, and tests that change every session. Will you safely extract with your collected items? Or aim high, put it on the line, and pray your team can achieve the highest spot? The option is yours."

The game lacks an official launch window or platforms, but players can anticipate further news as creation continues.