2K Games has secured a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the development team at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Leadership Change Follows Poor Response
Brinkman takes on the role of studio head at the development studio following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's underwhelming unveiling last fall.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure informed employees about this organizational change through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had revealed the need for a clearer vision.
The president stated that the developers is now refining the project with a renewed focus, aiming to address community desires.
Trend of Strategic Hires
The news mirrors a comparable action taken by the publisher in August, when they hired an industry veteran from the Diablo team to work on the BioShock development group.
Below is the full message from the president's announcement:
Team—
I understand you all just completed your town hall - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a message, I stated the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most driven and creative designers we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to continue.”
Through your commitment and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.
The community feedback from last autumn’s the game testing phase was informative. It confirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the necessity for a clearer identity.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the input to consideration and revamped Project ETHOS with a renewed vision - one that’s poised to achieve its promise to our fans.
The belief in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the incredible progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce the new hire as the latest Studio Head of 31st Union. After some time of talks, Ben officially joins us on the specified date.
Ben’s leadership and experience in the PVP shooter space is extensive, having spent the last 15 years developing and overseeing some of the most recognizable titles in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.
Let’s together in welcoming him soon. We are all excited to keep observing the development of the game in the time to come.
The President
Experience of the New Head
Brinkman presently holds the role of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Information and Concept
Project Ethos was announced in last year in conjunction with a early access event. Then, the developers portrayed the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling evolution on the genre."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the official summary states. "Face the rivals with fresh skills, risks, and tests that evolve every round. Do you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively go big, put it on the line, and trust your squad can achieve the highest spot? The choice is in your hands."
Project Ethos lacks an confirmed release date or supported systems, but fans can look forward to further news as development advances.
