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The renowned publisher has secured a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the development team at their internal studio, which is currently working on the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Follows Mixed Feedback

Brinkman takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster early showing last fall.

Recently, 2K president David Ismailer notified employees about this organizational change through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had indicated the need for a distinct direction.

The president stated that the team is now overhauling the project with a revised approach, aiming to address player expectations.

Trend of Strategic Hires

The news echoes a similar move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the full text from Ismailer's announcement:

Team—

I understand you all just finished your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Previously I sent you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative developers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re excited for that partnership to endure.”

Given your hard work and adaptability, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The player input from last autumn’s Project ETHOS playtest was enlightening. It validated the appeal of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had work to do. It uncovered the need for a sharper vision.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the input to consideration and reimagined the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s ready to deliver on its ambition to our players.

The belief in this project increases every day. To advance the incredible development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome the new hire as the new Lead of 31st Union. After several months of talks, Ben comes aboard us on next week.

Ben’s management and experience in the PVP shooter field is vast, having spent the last 15 years creating and leading some of the most well-known titles in gaming, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in greeting him soon. We are all eager to continue witnessing the progress of the game in the months to come.

David

Experience of the New Leader

Brinkman presently serves in the role of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had periods at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Vision

The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 together with a early access event. Then, the developers portrayed the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting advancement on the style."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to match your preferred approach," the description explains. "Challenge the opponents with fresh skills, stakes, and tests that shift every session. Will you safely extract with your collected items? Alternatively aim high, risk it all, and pray your group can achieve the highest spot? The option is in your hands."

Project Ethos does not have an official release date or platforms, but fans can anticipate further news as creation continues.