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The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the development team at their internal studio, which is currently developing the anticipated over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Transition Follows Poor Response

The new appointee assumes the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster early showing last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure informed staff about this strategic move through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had indicated the need for a more defined vision.

Ismailer noted that the developers is now overhauling the project with a renewed focus, aiming to better meet gamer demands.

A Pattern of Key Acquisitions

The news follows a comparable move taken by 2K Games in August, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to contribute to the BioShock development group.

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

Dear Team—

I know you all just finished your meeting - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a update, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and talented creators we have had the pleasure to work with - and we’re eager for that partnership to persist.”

With your dedication and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The player input from last fall’s the game testing phase was informative. It affirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the need for a more distinct vision.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You took the criticism to heart and reimagined the title with a revitalized goal - one that’s poised to fulfill its potential to our audience.

The trust in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To further the incredible development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce the new hire as the incoming Director of the team. After some time of discussions, he officially joins us on the specified date.

His management and expertise in the PVP shooter field is extensive, having spent the last 15 years producing and overseeing some of the most popular titles in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in welcoming Ben soon. We are all looking forward to continue witnessing the progress of the game in the months to come.

David

Background of the New Head

Brinkman currently holds the role of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously worked at major gaming companies in various development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had periods at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Vision

Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. Then, the developers portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an innovative evolution on the genre."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the official summary reads. "Take on the rivals with unique powers, stakes, and tests that change every session. Do you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Alternatively go big, risk it all, and hope your team can achieve the highest spot? The decision is yours."

The game lacks an confirmed launch window or platforms, but enthusiasts can anticipate additional details as development progresses.