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2K Games has welcomed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the forthcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift Comes After Mixed Reception

Brinkman takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's disappointing early showing last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer informed employees about this decision through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had shown the need for a clearer vision.

Ismailer noted that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a refreshed focus, aiming to better meet community desires.

A Pattern of Key Hires

The news mirrors a comparable move taken by the publisher in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the complete message from Ismailer's memo:

Dear Team—

I know you all just wrapped up your meeting - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a message, I stated the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and innovative creators we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to persist.”

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

The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS playtest was revealing. It validated the appeal of a action-packed game but indicated we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the need for a clearer brand.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the feedback to consideration and overhauled the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s ready to achieve its ambition to our fans.

Our confidence in this project grows every day. To further the outstanding advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce the new hire as the new Studio Head of the team. Following some time of conversations, Ben comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.

His leadership and background in the competitive gaming space is considerable, having dedicated the last 15 years creating and overseeing some of the most well-known series in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and lately, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in greeting Ben next week. We are all excited to continue witnessing the evolution of the game in the months to follow.

David

Experience of the New Leader

The appointee currently holds the role of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had stints at other industry leaders.

Title Information and Concept

Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 alongside a early access event. Then, the developers described the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative evolution on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch reads. "Face the competition with new abilities, stakes, and obstacles that shift every round. Will you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or go big, risk it all, and pray your squad can secure victory? The choice is in your hands."

Project Ethos does not have an official launch window or platforms, but players can look forward to more updates as creation advances.