2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the development team at their internal studio, which is currently working on the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Management Transition Follows Lukewarm Response
Brinkman steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing early showing last fall.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure informed staff about this strategic move through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had shown the requirement for a more defined direction.
The president expressed that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a renewed approach, aiming to address player expectations.
A Pattern of Key Hires
This announcement mirrors a similar move taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to work on the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the complete message from Ismailer's memo:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just finished your gathering - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and creative creators we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to continue.”
With your dedication and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.
The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was enlightening. It validated the appeal of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had improvements to make. It revealed the need for a more distinct brand.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the criticism to consideration and overhauled the title with a refreshed direction - one that’s positioned to achieve its potential to our players.
The trust in Project ETHOS grows every day. To boost the incredible progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome the new hire as the incoming Studio Head of 31st Union. Following a period of talks, Ben starts with us on next week.
Ben’s guidance and experience in the competitive gaming space is vast, having dedicated the recent years creating and overseeing some of the most well-known titles in the industry, such as the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.
Let’s together in greeting Ben in the coming days. We are all eager to persist seeing the progress of the game in the weeks to come.
The President
Experience of the Incoming Head
Brinkman currently serves in the position of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He earlier worked at major gaming companies in various production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Details and Vision
Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. Initially, the developers described the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an exciting advancement on the style."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch explains. "Challenge the opponents with new abilities, stakes, and tests that evolve every match. Will you leave securely with your collected items? Alternatively take a risk, risk it all, and hope your team can secure victory? The decision is up to you."
The game has not yet received an official launch window or supported systems, but enthusiasts can expect additional details as creation advances.
