The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently developing the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Management Transition Comes After Mixed Feedback
Brinkman assumes the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' underwhelming unveiling last autumn.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer updated staff about this organizational change through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had revealed the need for a more defined direction.
Ismailer stated that the developers is now reimagining the project with a revised focus, aiming to better meet community desires.
Trend of Strategic Acquisitions
This announcement mirrors a comparable step taken by the publisher in August, when they hired an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the entire message from Ismailer's memo:
Team—
I know you all just wrapped up your gathering - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Previously I sent you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most driven and talented creators we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to continue.”
Through your commitment and versatility, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS playtest was informative. It validated the promise of a action-packed game but made clear we still had work to do. It uncovered the necessity for a more distinct identity.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the input to mind and overhauled Project ETHOS with a revitalized vision - one that’s positioned to achieve its potential to our fans.
The belief in this project grows every day. To boost the remarkable progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of 31st Union. Following a period of conversations, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20.
His management and experience in the PVP shooter field is vast, having spent the last 15 years developing and leading some of the most recognizable franchises in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.
Let’s together in greeting Ben in the coming days. We are all eager to continue observing the progress of the game in the weeks to ahead.
David
Background of the Incoming Leader
Brinkman currently holds the position of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier was employed at major gaming companies in multiple development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had periods at other industry leaders.
Title Information and Vision
Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. Then, the developers portrayed the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting step forward 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 states. "Face the opponents with new abilities, challenges, and challenges that shift every round. Will you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Or aim high, put it on the line, and hope your squad can secure victory? The choice is in your hands."
Project Ethos has not yet received an official launch window or supported systems, but enthusiasts can anticipate further news as creation advances.
