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2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the development team at their internal studio, which is currently working on the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Leadership Change Follows Lukewarm Response

Brinkman steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster initial reveal last fall.

Recently, 2K president a key figure informed staff about this decision through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had revealed the necessity for a distinct vision.

Ismailer stated that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to satisfy community desires.

Trend of Strategic Hires

The news follows a similar action taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on an industry veteran from the Diablo team to work on the BioShock development group.

Below is the full content from Ismailer's announcement:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just wrapped up your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a message, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative creators we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to continue.”

Given your hard work and adaptability, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The player input from last autumn’s the game demo was revealing. It affirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the necessity for a clearer brand.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the input to heart and reimagined the title with a refreshed goal - one that’s poised to achieve its ambition to our audience.

The trust in this project increases every day. To further the remarkable development you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome the new hire as the incoming Lead of 31st Union. Following some time of talks, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20.

His management and experience in the competitive gaming space is vast, having devoted the last 15 years developing and managing some of the most well-known series in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in receiving him next week. We are all excited to persist witnessing the progress of Project ETHOS in the months to ahead.

David

Background of the New Leader

The appointee presently serves in the role of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had periods at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Concept

Project Ethos was unveiled in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. At the time, the developers described the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative advancement on the genre."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary explains. "Face the rivals with unique powers, stakes, and tests that evolve every round. Will you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Or go big, put it on the line, and pray your squad can secure victory? The decision is yours."

Project Ethos does not have an announced debut schedule or platforms, but players can look forward to further news as production progresses.