2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently developing the upcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Change Follows Mixed Reception
Brinkman takes on the role of studio head at the development studio following the exit of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing early showing last fall.
On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer informed team members about this strategic move through an internal memo, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had indicated the requirement for a distinct game identity.
The president noted that the team is now overhauling the project with a renewed vision, aiming to address community desires.
Trend of Key Recruitment
The news mirrors a comparable action taken by 2K Games in August, when they hired an industry veteran from the Diablo team to contribute to the BioShock development group.
Below is the full content from the president's communication:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just wrapped up your town hall - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Last time 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 developers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re excited for that relationship to endure.”
Through your commitment and versatility, especially over the last year, you continue to prove that.
The player input from last autumn’s the game demo was informative. It affirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but made clear we still had work to do. It uncovered the need for a sharper identity.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the feedback to mind and revamped the title with a renewed vision - one that’s positioned to fulfill its promise to our players.
The trust in Project ETHOS grows every day. To boost the remarkable progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce the new hire as the incoming Lead of the team. Following several months of conversations, Ben comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.
His management and expertise in the competitive gaming field is vast, having dedicated the recent years developing and managing some of the most popular franchises in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.
Let’s together in greeting him soon. We are all excited to continue observing the progress of the game in the weeks to come.
The President
Background of the New Head
The appointee presently holds the position of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, earlier in his career, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Details and Vision
Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a early access event. Initially, the developers presented the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting evolution on the category."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch states. "Take on the competition with unique powers, challenges, and obstacles that evolve every session. Do you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Or aim high, gamble everything, and hope your team can secure victory? The decision is in your hands."
Project Ethos lacks an confirmed debut schedule or consoles, but enthusiasts can expect more updates as production progresses.
