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2K Games has welcomed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Change Follows Mixed Reception

The new appointee takes on the leadership position at 31st Union following the exit of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's disappointing early showing last autumn.

On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure notified employees about this decision through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had shown the requirement for a distinct vision.

Ismailer stated that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to address community desires.

A Pattern of Key Recruitment

The news echoes a similar step taken by 2K Games in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the full content from Ismailer's memo:

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just wrapped up your town hall - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Previously I sent you all a update, I stated the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented creators we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to continue.”

Given your hard work and versatility, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The community feedback from last fall’s the game playtest was informative. It validated the promise of a action-packed game but indicated we still had work to do. It highlighted the need for a clearer brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You took the criticism to mind and overhauled the title with a refreshed direction - one that’s ready to deliver on its potential to our fans.

The belief in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To further the incredible advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome Ben Brinkman as the incoming Director of the team. Following some time of talks, he officially joins us on the specified date.

Ben’s management and experience in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having devoted the last 15 years producing and managing some of the most well-known titles in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in welcoming him in the coming days. We are all looking forward to continue observing the progress of Project ETHOS in the time to follow.

The President

Background of the New Head

Brinkman currently holds the role of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Details and Vision

The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. Initially, the developers described the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting step forward 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 fit your unique tactics," the official summary states. "Challenge the rivals with fresh skills, challenges, and obstacles that shift every match. Do you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively aim high, gamble everything, and trust your squad can achieve the highest spot? The option is up to you."

The game does not have an announced debut schedule or platforms, but enthusiasts can anticipate additional details as development progresses.