🔗 Share this article

2K Games has secured a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to lead the development team at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Management Change Comes After Lukewarm Response

The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing early showing last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer informed staff about this strategic move through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had indicated the necessity for a distinct vision.

The president noted that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a renewed vision, aiming to satisfy player expectations.

Trend of Strategic Hires

This announcement mirrors a similar move taken by 2K Games in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the entire message from Ismailer's memo:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just finished your meeting - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the positive developments. Previously I sent you all a note, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and innovative creators we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to continue.”

With your dedication and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The player input from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It affirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had work to do. It highlighted the requirement for a clearer identity.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You took the criticism to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a refreshed goal - one that’s positioned to achieve its promise to our fans.

The trust in this project strengthens every day. To boost the outstanding progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce the new hire as the new Lead of the team. Following several months of discussions, Ben comes aboard us on next week.

His leadership and background in the competitive gaming genre is extensive, having dedicated the recent years developing and overseeing some of the most popular franchises in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in receiving him soon. We are all looking forward to continue witnessing the progress of Project ETHOS in the time to follow.

The President

Background of the Incoming Leader

Brinkman currently holds the position of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman previously worked at major gaming companies in various production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had stints at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Vision

The upcoming game was unveiled in last year alongside a community playtest. Initially, the developers described the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative advancement on the genre."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the description reads. "Challenge the rivals with new abilities, challenges, and challenges that change every round. Do you safely extract with your collected items? Or take a risk, risk it all, and pray your squad can secure victory? The option is yours."

The game does not have an official debut schedule or consoles, but enthusiasts can expect additional details as creation advances.