🔗 Share this article

2K Games has secured a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to lead the development team at their internal studio, which is currently developing the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Change Follows Poor Response

The new appointee assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing initial reveal last fall.

Recently, 2K president a key figure informed employees about this organizational change through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had indicated the need for a clearer game identity.

The president noted that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a refreshed vision, aiming to better meet community desires.

Trend of Key Hires

The news mirrors a similar action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the BioShock development group.

Below is the complete content from the president's announcement:

Team—

I understand you all just completed your meeting - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a note, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most driven and talented creators we have had the pleasure to work with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to endure.”

Given your hard work and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The player input from last autumn’s Project ETHOS demo was informative. It validated the appeal of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had work to do. It revealed the requirement for a more distinct identity.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the feedback to consideration and reimagined Project ETHOS with a refreshed vision - one that’s poised to deliver on its promise to our audience.

Our confidence in this project increases every day. To boost the remarkable advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to announce Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of the team. After some time of conversations, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.

His management and expertise in the PVP shooter field is vast, having spent the last 15 years creating and leading some of the most well-known series in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in greeting Ben in the coming days. We are all excited to continue observing the development of the game in the weeks to follow.

The President

Background of the Incoming Head

The appointee presently holds the role of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He earlier worked at major gaming companies in multiple development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Details and Concept

Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 together with a community playtest. Then, the developers described the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an innovative evolution on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the description explains. "Challenge the competition with new abilities, challenges, and obstacles that change every session. Will you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Or go big, risk it all, and trust your team can secure victory? The option is in your hands."

Project Ethos lacks an confirmed launch window or consoles, but players can look forward to more updates as creation progresses.