🔗 Share this article The Gaming Giant Hires Apex Legends Developer to Revitalize Struggling Action Game Ambitious Title 2K Games has secured a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to lead the development team at their internal studio, which is currently working on the forthcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as this innovative game. Leadership Shift Comes After Mixed Response Brinkman steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's underwhelming unveiling last autumn. On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure notified employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had indicated the necessity for a distinct direction. The president expressed that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a renewed vision, aiming to better meet gamer demands. Trend of Strategic Recruitment The news echoes a similar step taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber. Below is the full content from Ismailer's memo: Dear Team— I understand you all just finished your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Last time I shared you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative creators we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to continue.” With your dedication and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that. The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was informative. It affirmed the potential of a action-packed game but indicated we still had work to do. It revealed the necessity for a clearer brand. The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the input to consideration and overhauled Project ETHOS with a revitalized vision - one that’s ready to deliver on its potential to our players. The trust in this project increases every day. To boost the outstanding development you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome Ben Brinkman as the incoming Lead of the team. Following several months of conversations, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20. His guidance and background in the PVP shooter space is vast, having spent the past decade and a half producing and leading some of the most recognizable franchises in gaming, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit. Let’s together in greeting him in the coming days. We are all looking forward to continue seeing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to come. David Experience of the New Leader Brinkman presently serves in the position of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He earlier was employed at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts. Title Details and Vision Project Ethos was unveiled in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. Then, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling evolution on the genre." "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 official summary reads. "Take on the competition with new abilities, risks, and tests that shift every match. Do you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively aim high, risk it all, and trust your team can achieve the highest spot? The decision is in your hands." The game lacks an official debut schedule or consoles, but fans can expect further news as production progresses.