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The renowned publisher has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently developing the forthcoming third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Leadership Shift Comes After Lukewarm Response

The new appointee takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's underwhelming unveiling last autumn.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer informed employees about this strategic move through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had indicated the requirement for a distinct game identity.

Ismailer noted that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a revised focus, aiming to better meet gamer demands.

A Pattern of Strategic Hires

This announcement echoes a similar action taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they brought on an industry veteran from the Diablo team to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the entire content from Ismailer's announcement:

Team—

I know you all just finished your meeting - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative creators we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to endure.”

Through your commitment and flexibility, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The player input from last fall’s the game demo was enlightening. It validated the potential of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the need for a more distinct identity.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the feedback to heart and revamped Project ETHOS with a revitalized vision - one that’s poised to deliver on its potential to our audience.

Our confidence in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the outstanding progress you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce the new hire as the latest Lead of the team. After several months of discussions, he comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s guidance and expertise in the competitive gaming field is vast, having dedicated the past decade and a half producing and overseeing some of the most well-known series in gaming, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.

Please join me in receiving him soon. We are all eager to continue seeing the development of Project ETHOS in the months to follow.

David

Experience of the Incoming Head

The appointee currently serves in the position of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had periods at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Concept

The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 together with a community playtest. At the time, the developers portrayed the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling evolution on the genre."

"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 official summary explains. "Take on the rivals with new abilities, stakes, and challenges that change every round. Will you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively go big, put it on the line, and pray your squad can secure victory? The decision is up to you."

The game does not have an announced release date or consoles, but fans can expect additional details as creation advances.