🔗 Share this article

2K Games has secured a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the forthcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Management Transition Follows Mixed Reception

Brinkman takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster initial reveal last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer notified team members about this strategic move through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had indicated the need for a clearer vision.

Ismailer expressed that the developers is now overhauling the project with a revised focus, aiming to better meet player expectations.

Trend of Key Hires

The news mirrors a similar move taken by 2K Games in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to work on the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the full text from the president's communication:

Dear Team—

I know you all just completed your gathering - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Last time I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most driven and talented developers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that partnership to endure.”

With your dedication and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The community feedback from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was enlightening. It validated the appeal of a action-packed game but told us we still had work to do. It uncovered the necessity for a more distinct identity.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the feedback to mind and overhauled Project ETHOS with a renewed goal - one that’s ready to achieve its promise to our fans.

Our confidence in Project ETHOS grows every day. To boost the remarkable development you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce the new hire as the incoming Studio Head of 31st Union. After a period of discussions, he officially joins us on the specified date.

His leadership and experience in the competitive gaming space is vast, having dedicated the recent years creating and overseeing some of the most popular franchises in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.

Please join me in receiving him in the coming days. We are all excited to persist seeing the progress of the game in the time to ahead.

The President

Background of the New Head

The appointee presently holds the role of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier worked at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Details and Vision

The upcoming game was revealed in last year in conjunction with a public demo. At the time, the developers described the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting step forward on the style."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary explains. "Face the opponents with unique powers, risks, and challenges that evolve every session. Will you safely extract with your collected items? Or go big, gamble everything, and trust your squad can earn top ranking? The option is up to you."

Project Ethos has not yet received an announced debut schedule or supported systems, but fans can anticipate more updates as creation continues.