2K Games has secured a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the development team at their internal studio, which is currently developing the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Management Transition Comes After Poor Feedback
The new appointee steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming unveiling last fall.
On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer informed staff about this organizational change through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had revealed the necessity for a more defined direction.
The president expressed that the team is now refining the project with a revised vision, aiming to better meet gamer demands.
Trend of Strategic Acquisitions
The news follows a comparable move taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the complete content from Ismailer's memo:
Hello Everyone—
I know you all just completed your meeting - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a message, I expressed the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most driven and talented developers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to continue.”
Given your hard work and adaptability, particularly over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The community feedback from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It confirmed the potential of a action-packed game but told us we still had work to do. It highlighted the requirement for a clearer identity.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You embraced the input to mind and revamped Project ETHOS with a revitalized vision - one that’s positioned to fulfill its promise to our players.
The trust in this project strengthens every day. To further the outstanding advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of the team. Following several months of discussions, he comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.
His leadership and experience in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having devoted the recent years developing and overseeing some of the most well-known franchises in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.
Please join me in welcoming Ben soon. We are all excited to persist observing the progress of Project ETHOS in the weeks to ahead.
The President
Background of the Incoming Leader
Brinkman currently holds the position of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had assignments at other industry leaders.
Title Details and Concept
The upcoming game was announced in last year alongside a community playtest. Then, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling evolution 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 match your preferred approach," the description states. "Take on the competition with new abilities, stakes, and obstacles that evolve every session. Will you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Alternatively go big, gamble everything, and pray your group can earn top ranking? The choice is up to you."
The game lacks an confirmed debut schedule or consoles, but fans can anticipate further news as creation continues.
