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2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the development team at their internal studio, which is currently working on the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Leadership Change Follows Poor Reception

Brinkman assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing unveiling last fall.

Recently, 2K president a key figure updated employees about this organizational change through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had shown the necessity for a clearer game identity.

The president noted that the team is now overhauling the project with a revised focus, aiming to satisfy player expectations.

A Pattern of Key Hires

This announcement mirrors a comparable move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the BioShock development group.

Below is the full message from the president's memo:

Team—

I know you all just completed your gathering - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the positive developments. Previously I sent you all a note, I stated the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented developers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that relationship to endure.”

With your dedication and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.

The community feedback from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was enlightening. It validated the appeal of a action-packed game but indicated we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the requirement for a more distinct identity.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the criticism to consideration and overhauled the title with a renewed goal - one that’s ready to fulfill its potential to our audience.

Our confidence in this project grows every day. To advance the remarkable development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce Ben Brinkman as the latest Lead of the team. After some time of conversations, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s guidance and expertise in the PVP shooter field is considerable, having devoted the past decade and a half creating and leading some of the most popular titles in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in receiving him next week. We are all eager to persist seeing the progress of Project ETHOS in the months to follow.

The President

Background of the Incoming Leader

Brinkman currently serves in the role of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Details and Concept

Project Ethos was revealed in last year alongside a early access event. Then, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an innovative step forward on the style."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to match your preferred approach," the description explains. "Take on the competition with unique powers, risks, and tests that evolve every match. Do you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Alternatively aim high, put it on the line, and hope your squad can secure victory? The decision is up to you."

Project Ethos has not yet received an official launch window or consoles, but enthusiasts can expect further news as creation advances.