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2K Games has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the development team at their internal studio, which is currently developing the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Transition Comes After Poor Feedback

Brinkman assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's lackluster unveiling last fall.

Recently, 2K president a key figure updated staff about this organizational change through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had indicated the requirement for a distinct game identity.

The president stated that the developers is now reimagining the project with a revised approach, aiming to address community desires.

Trend of Key Hires

The news follows a similar step taken by 2K Games in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

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

Dear Team—

I know you all just completed your meeting - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Previously I shared you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and talented creators we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to persist.”

With your dedication and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The player input from last autumn’s the game playtest was informative. It confirmed the potential of a action-packed game but made clear we still had refinements needed. It revealed the necessity for a more distinct brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the feedback to consideration and overhauled Project ETHOS with a refreshed vision - one that’s poised to achieve its ambition to our fans.

The belief in this project increases every day. To boost the incredible advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome the new hire as the new Studio Head of the team. After several months of conversations, Ben comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s guidance and background in the PVP shooter genre is vast, having spent the past decade and a half creating and leading some of the most popular titles in the industry, for example the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in receiving him next week. We are all excited to keep witnessing the progress of the game in the months to ahead.

David

Background of the New Leader

Brinkman presently holds the role of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had periods at other industry leaders.

Title Information and Concept

Project Ethos was announced in last year alongside a early access event. Then, the developers described the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting step forward on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch states. "Face the competition with new abilities, stakes, and tests that shift every round. Do you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Alternatively take a risk, risk it all, and pray your group can secure victory? The decision is up to you."

The game has not yet received an official release date or consoles, but players can anticipate more updates as development continues.