2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at their internal studio, which is currently working on the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Change Comes After Lukewarm Feedback
Brinkman takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster initial reveal last autumn.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer informed staff about this strategic move through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had indicated the need for a clearer game identity.
The president noted that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a renewed vision, aiming to address gamer demands.
A Pattern of Key Hires
This announcement echoes a similar step taken by the publisher in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.
Below is the full message from the president's announcement:
Dear Team—
I know you all just finished your town hall - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a message, I stated the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and innovative designers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re excited for that relationship to endure.”
With your dedication and versatility, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The gamer responses from last autumn’s the game demo was revealing. It validated the appeal of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the requirement for a clearer vision.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You took the input to mind and overhauled Project ETHOS with a renewed vision - one that’s ready to fulfill its potential to our players.
The belief in Project ETHOS increases every day. To advance the incredible development you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of the team. Following several months of talks, Ben comes aboard us on the specified date.
Ben’s leadership and experience in the PVP shooter space is extensive, having dedicated the last 15 years producing and managing some of the most well-known series in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.
I invite you all in greeting Ben in the coming days. We are all eager to keep seeing the evolution of the game in the time to come.
The President
Background of the Incoming Head
Brinkman currently serves in the role of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in various production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Information and Vision
Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. Initially, 31st Union presented the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an exciting step forward on the category."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in real-time to match your preferred approach," the description explains. "Challenge the opponents with fresh skills, challenges, and obstacles that change every session. Do you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Or take a risk, risk it all, and trust your squad can earn top ranking? The choice is yours."
Project Ethos lacks an official launch window or consoles, but enthusiasts can anticipate more updates as development progresses.
