2K Brings Onboard Apex Legends Lead to Rescue Challenged Action Game Ambitious Title

The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the forthcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Leadership Shift Comes After Mixed Reception

Brinkman assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's underwhelming early showing last fall.

Recently, 2K president David Ismailer updated employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had shown the need for a clearer game identity.

Ismailer noted that the team is now overhauling the project with a revised approach, aiming to address gamer demands.

Trend of Key Acquisitions

The news echoes a similar step taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.

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

Dear Team—

I understand you all just finished your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Previously 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 creative developers we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to persist.”

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

The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was revealing. It validated the potential of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the requirement for a more distinct brand.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the input to heart and revamped Project ETHOS with a refreshed goal - one that’s poised to achieve its promise to our players.

The belief in this project increases every day. To further the outstanding progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce Ben Brinkman as the new Studio Head of 31st Union. Following some time of conversations, he starts with us on the specified date.

Ben’s leadership and expertise in the competitive gaming field is vast, having spent the past decade and a half creating and managing some of the most recognizable franchises in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in receiving him soon. We are all excited to continue witnessing the progress of the game in the weeks to ahead.

The President

Background of the Incoming Leader

The appointee currently serves in the role of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He previously worked at major gaming companies in various production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Concept

Project Ethos was unveiled in October 2024 together with a community playtest. At the time, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative step forward on the style."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the game's pitch states. "Take on the opponents with new abilities, stakes, and obstacles that shift every session. Will you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Or take a risk, put it on the line, and trust your group can secure victory? The choice is up to you."

Project Ethos does not have an official release date or supported systems, but fans can look forward to further news as production progresses.