2K Recruits Popular Battle Royale Developer to Rescue Troubled Hero Shooter Project Ethos

2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Management Change Follows Mixed Feedback

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 reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing unveiling last autumn.

Recently, the company's top executive a key figure informed employees about this decision through an internal memo, which emphasized that playtesting had shown the need for a clearer game identity.

The president noted that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a renewed approach, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.

Trend of Strategic Acquisitions

This announcement follows a similar move taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the entire content from the president's memo:

Team—

I understand you all just completed your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most driven and talented designers we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to continue.”

Given your hard work and adaptability, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The community feedback from last autumn’s Project ETHOS demo was revealing. It affirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had work to do. It highlighted the need for a more distinct vision.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the feedback to consideration and reimagined the title with a renewed goal - one that’s poised to fulfill its potential to our fans.

The belief in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To advance the incredible development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce the new hire as the latest Studio Head of the team. After some time of talks, Ben comes aboard us on next week.

His leadership and expertise in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having spent the past decade and a half producing and leading some of the most popular franchises in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in greeting him in the coming days. We are all eager to keep observing the progress of Project ETHOS in the weeks to come.

David

Background of the Incoming Head

Brinkman currently serves in the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He earlier was employed at major gaming companies in multiple development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, prior to that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Information and Concept

Project Ethos was announced in last year together with a community playtest. Then, the developers portrayed the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling step forward on the genre."

"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 description explains. "Face the competition with fresh skills, challenges, and tests that shift every session. Do you leave securely with your collected items? Or aim high, gamble everything, and trust your team can earn top ranking? The option is yours."

The game lacks an confirmed launch window or platforms, but players can expect more updates as development progresses.