The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently developing the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Management Change Follows Lukewarm Reception
The new appointee takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming initial reveal last fall.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure updated employees about this organizational change through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had revealed the necessity for a distinct direction.
Ismailer expressed that the team is now refining the project with a renewed approach, aiming to satisfy player expectations.
Trend of Strategic Hires
The news mirrors a similar move taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the full text from the president's memo:
Hello Everyone—
I know you all just finished your town hall - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and innovative designers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re eager for that relationship to endure.”
Through your commitment and adaptability, particularly over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.
The gamer responses from last autumn’s the game playtest was revealing. It confirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the requirement for a clearer identity.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the criticism to mind and reimagined Project ETHOS with a revitalized direction - one that’s ready to deliver on its promise to our fans.
The belief in this project grows every day. To further the outstanding progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of the team. Following several months of conversations, he starts with us on the specified date.
His guidance and background in the PVP shooter field is considerable, having spent the last 15 years creating and managing some of the most popular franchises in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and lately, the battle royale hit.
Please join me in receiving Ben soon. We are all excited to continue witnessing the progress of Project ETHOS in the time to come.
David
Background of the Incoming Leader
Brinkman currently holds the role of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.
Title Information and Concept
The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. At the time, the developers presented the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an exciting advancement 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 fit your unique tactics," the description reads. "Face the competition with fresh skills, stakes, and challenges that evolve every round. Will you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Alternatively take a risk, gamble everything, and pray your squad can secure victory? The decision is in your hands."
Project Ethos has not yet received an announced launch window or platforms, but enthusiasts can look forward to additional details as creation continues.
