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The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the development team at their internal studio, which is currently developing the forthcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift 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 employees about this decision through an internal memo, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had indicated the requirement for a more defined direction.

Ismailer noted that the developers is now overhauling the project with a renewed focus, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.

A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions

The news echoes a similar action taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the full message from the president's memo:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just wrapped up your meeting - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most driven and talented developers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to endure.”

Through your commitment and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s the game playtest was revealing. It validated the potential of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had improvements to make. It revealed the need for a sharper vision.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the criticism to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a revitalized vision - one that’s ready to deliver on its promise to our audience.

The trust in Project ETHOS grows every day. To advance the incredible progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome the new hire as the incoming Studio Head of the team. Following a period of discussions, Ben starts with us on Monday, October 20.

His leadership and background in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having dedicated the past decade and a half producing and managing some of the most well-known titles in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in welcoming him next week. We are all eager to persist observing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the months to come.

The President

Background of the Incoming Head

The appointee presently holds the position of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Vision

The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a early access event. Then, the developers described the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling evolution on the category."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the game's pitch explains. "Face the opponents with fresh skills, stakes, and tests that change every round. Will you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Alternatively take a risk, put it on the line, and hope your squad can secure victory? The decision is up to you."

Project Ethos has not yet received an official release date or consoles, but fans can anticipate additional details as creation continues.