🔗 Share this article

The renowned publisher has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Change Comes After Mixed Reception

The new appointee steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the exit of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster early showing last fall.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure informed staff about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had revealed the requirement for a distinct direction.

The president expressed that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a renewed vision, aiming to satisfy player expectations.

Trend of Key Hires

This announcement mirrors a similar move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the complete content from Ismailer's communication:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just finished your meeting - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a note, I expressed the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most driven and talented developers we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to continue.”

Given your hard work and adaptability, particularly over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The community feedback from last autumn’s the game demo was revealing. It affirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the necessity for a sharper brand.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the feedback to mind and revamped Project ETHOS with a renewed vision - one that’s poised to achieve its potential to our audience.

The belief in this project grows every day. To advance the remarkable advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Director of the team. Following a period of discussions, Ben officially joins us on the specified date.

His guidance and background in the PVP shooter genre is considerable, having devoted the recent years producing and overseeing some of the most popular titles in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.

Let’s together in welcoming him next week. We are all looking forward to continue observing the progress of Project ETHOS in the time to come.

David

Background of the Incoming Head

Brinkman presently serves in the role of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously was employed at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Details and Concept

The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a public demo. Then, the developers presented the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling advancement 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. "Face the competition with fresh skills, stakes, and tests that change every match. Will you safely extract with your collected items? Alternatively aim high, risk it all, and trust your team can earn top ranking? The decision is in your hands."

The game lacks an announced debut schedule or supported systems, but players can look forward to further news as development advances.