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The renowned publisher has welcomed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Transition Comes After Poor Response

Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming early showing last autumn.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure notified staff about this organizational change through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had indicated the requirement for a clearer vision.

The president stated that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a revised vision, aiming to better meet community desires.

A Pattern of Key Acquisitions

This announcement mirrors a comparable move taken by 2K Games in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.

Here is the complete message from the president's communication:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just wrapped up your meeting - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a note, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most driven and innovative creators we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that partnership to endure.”

Given your hard work and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The player input from last autumn’s the game demo was informative. It confirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had work to do. It uncovered the necessity for a sharper identity.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the criticism to mind and reimagined Project ETHOS with a renewed goal - one that’s ready to deliver on its promise to our audience.

The trust in this project grows every day. To advance the remarkable development you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce the new hire as the new Lead of the team. After several months of discussions, he starts with us on the specified date.

His management and background in the PVP shooter field is extensive, having dedicated the recent years developing and managing some of the most well-known series in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in welcoming him next week. We are all excited to continue observing the development of the game in the months to follow.

David

Background of the Incoming Leader

Brinkman currently holds the position of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Concept

The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. Then, the developers presented the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative advancement on the category."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to match your preferred approach," the game's pitch explains. "Face the opponents with new abilities, challenges, and obstacles that evolve every match. Do you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Alternatively aim high, risk it all, and trust your group can achieve the highest spot? The decision is yours."

The game does not have an official debut schedule or platforms, but players can look forward to more updates as development progresses.