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The renowned publisher has welcomed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the development team at their internal studio, which is currently working on the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift Follows Poor Reception

The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's underwhelming early showing last autumn.

Recently, the company's top executive a key figure updated team members about this organizational change through an internal memo, which emphasized that playtesting had shown the need for a more defined direction.

Ismailer stated that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a refreshed focus, aiming to satisfy community desires.

Trend of Strategic Acquisitions

The news mirrors a similar step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on an industry veteran from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.

Below is the complete content from Ismailer's communication:

Dear Team—

I know you all just finished your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and innovative designers we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that partnership to continue.”

With your dedication and versatility, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The player input from last autumn’s the game demo was informative. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had work to do. It uncovered the requirement for a more distinct brand.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the input to mind and reimagined Project ETHOS with a revitalized direction - one that’s poised to achieve its promise to our fans.

Our confidence in this project strengthens every day. To further the outstanding development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce Ben Brinkman as the latest Director of the team. Following a period of discussions, he starts with us on the specified date.

Ben’s management and background in the PVP shooter field is considerable, having devoted the last 15 years developing and leading some of the most well-known series in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in greeting Ben next week. We are all excited to persist observing the development of Project ETHOS in the weeks to follow.

David

Background of the New Leader

Brinkman presently holds the position of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously was employed 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.

Game Details and Concept

The upcoming game was unveiled in last year alongside a public demo. Initially, the developers presented the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting 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 fit your unique tactics," the description reads. "Take on the rivals with unique powers, risks, and obstacles that evolve every session. Will you safely extract with your collected items? Alternatively go big, put it on the line, and trust your team can earn top ranking? The decision is yours."

The game does not have an official release date or platforms, but enthusiasts can anticipate additional details as development continues.