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2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift Follows Lukewarm Response

Brinkman assumes the role of studio head at the development studio following the departure of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' disappointing early showing last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer updated employees about this strategic move through an official communication, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had shown the need for a more defined direction.

Ismailer stated that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a revised approach, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.

Trend of Key Acquisitions

The news mirrors a comparable step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the full text from Ismailer's memo:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just wrapped up your town hall - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Previously I sent you all a update, I stated the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most driven and talented designers we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that relationship to endure.”

With your dedication and flexibility, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s the game testing phase was revealing. It confirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but made clear we still had work to do. It revealed the need for a clearer brand.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You took the criticism to heart and overhauled the title with a revitalized direction - one that’s ready to achieve its promise to our fans.

The belief in this project grows every day. To boost the remarkable progress you’ve made, I’m excited to announce the new hire as the incoming Studio Head of the team. Following some time of discussions, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s leadership and experience in the PVP shooter field is considerable, having devoted the last 15 years producing and managing some of the most popular series in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and lately, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in greeting him next week. We are all looking forward to keep witnessing the evolution of the game in the weeks to follow.

David

Background of the New Leader

Brinkman currently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Details and Vision

Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 together with a public demo. At the time, the developers presented the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling advancement on the category."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the official summary explains. "Face the rivals with fresh skills, risks, and obstacles that shift every round. Will you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Alternatively take a risk, risk it all, and hope your group can earn top ranking? The decision is yours."

The game does not have an announced launch window or platforms, but players can anticipate additional details as development progresses.