2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Management Shift Follows Mixed Reception
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 Project Ethos' lackluster unveiling last autumn.
On Wednesday, 2K president a key figure informed team members about this decision through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had revealed the necessity for a distinct game identity.
The president expressed that the developers is now overhauling the project with a refreshed approach, aiming to address player expectations.
A Pattern of Strategic Hires
The news mirrors a comparable step taken by 2K Games in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the BioShock development group.
Here is the complete message from the president's memo:
Team—
I know you all just finished your town hall - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a update, I stated the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative creators we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to continue.”
With your dedication and versatility, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The player input from last autumn’s the game testing phase was revealing. It validated the potential of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had improvements to make. It revealed the need for a sharper identity.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You took the criticism to mind and reimagined the title with a refreshed direction - one that’s poised to deliver on its potential to our players.
The trust in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the outstanding progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce Ben Brinkman as the latest Director of the team. Following several months of talks, Ben officially joins us on the specified date.
His leadership and expertise in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having spent the recent years creating and leading some of the most well-known series in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.
Please join me in greeting him soon. We are all eager to keep observing the progress of Project ETHOS in the weeks to follow.
David
Experience of the Incoming Head
Brinkman presently serves in the role of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Information and Concept
The upcoming game was revealed in last year alongside a public demo. At the time, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative step forward on the category."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the game's pitch explains. "Challenge the rivals with new abilities, challenges, and challenges that shift every round. Will you safely extract with your collected items? Alternatively take a risk, put it on the line, and trust your team can earn top ranking? The choice is yours."
Project Ethos lacks an announced release date or supported systems, but fans can look forward to additional details as creation advances.
