The renowned publisher has secured a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the development team at their internal studio, which is currently developing the forthcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Management Transition Comes After Lukewarm Response
Brinkman takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' disappointing initial reveal last autumn.
Recently, the company's top executive a key figure notified staff about this organizational change through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had indicated the need for a clearer direction.
The president stated that the team is now overhauling the project with a renewed focus, aiming to better meet gamer demands.
Trend of Key Hires
This announcement echoes a comparable step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to work on the beloved franchise development group.
Below is the full message from the president's memo:
Hello Everyone—
I know you all just finished your meeting - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a message, I expressed the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and creative developers we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re eager for that partnership to endure.”
Given your hard work and adaptability, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.
The gamer responses from last fall’s the game testing phase was informative. It validated the promise of a action-packed game but made clear we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the necessity for a sharper vision.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the feedback to consideration and overhauled Project ETHOS with a refreshed goal - one that’s poised to achieve its promise to our players.
The trust in Project ETHOS grows every day. To boost the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of the team. After a period of conversations, he comes aboard us on the specified date.
Ben’s leadership and background in the PVP shooter space is extensive, having dedicated the past decade and a half developing and overseeing some of the most well-known franchises in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.
Let’s together in greeting Ben next week. We are all eager to continue witnessing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to come.
The President
Background of the New Leader
Brinkman currently serves in the role of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman previously worked at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Details and Vision
The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. Initially, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling step forward on the style."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch reads. "Take on the rivals with fresh skills, stakes, and tests that shift every round. Will you leave securely with your collected items? Alternatively go big, put it on the line, and hope your group can achieve the highest spot? The option is in your hands."
The game lacks an official release date or platforms, but enthusiasts can look forward to additional details as production advances.
