The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Transition Comes After Poor Reception
The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' underwhelming unveiling last autumn.
On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure informed staff about this decision through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had shown the requirement for a more defined game identity.
Ismailer noted that the team is now overhauling the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to address player expectations.
Trend of Strategic Hires
The news mirrors a similar move taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to work on the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the complete message from Ismailer's announcement:
Team—
I understand you all just finished your town hall - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative designers we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to endure.”
With your dedication and flexibility, particularly over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.
The gamer responses from last fall’s the game testing phase was revealing. It validated the potential of a action-packed game but indicated we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the requirement for a sharper brand.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the input to heart and revamped the title with a revitalized direction - one that’s ready to achieve its ambition to our fans.
The belief in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the outstanding advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce the new hire as the latest Studio Head of the team. After a period of discussions, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s management and expertise in the competitive gaming genre is extensive, having dedicated the recent years producing and overseeing some of the most well-known titles in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and lately, the battle royale hit.
Let’s together in receiving him soon. We are all excited to keep observing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the time to come.
David
Experience of the New Leader
The appointee presently serves in the role of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Information and Vision
Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 alongside a public demo. At the time, 31st Union presented the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative advancement 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 match your preferred approach," the official summary reads. "Face the competition with new abilities, stakes, and challenges that change every session. Will you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or aim high, risk it all, and pray your team can earn top ranking? The choice is in your hands."
Project Ethos has not yet received an announced launch window or platforms, but enthusiasts can expect more updates as development advances.
