The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Management Shift Comes After Lukewarm Reception
Brinkman steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing initial reveal last autumn.
Recently, the company's top executive a key figure informed employees about this decision through an internal memo, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had indicated the necessity for a clearer direction.
Ismailer expressed that the team is now refining the project with a refreshed focus, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.
Trend of Key Hires
This announcement mirrors a similar action taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the BioShock development group.
Here is the full content from Ismailer's communication:
Team—
I understand you all just completed your gathering - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a message, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative designers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re excited for that partnership to continue.”
With your dedication and versatility, especially over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.
The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was enlightening. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had work to do. It highlighted the necessity for a more distinct brand.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the criticism to mind and overhauled Project ETHOS with a revitalized direction - one that’s ready to deliver on its ambition to our fans.
The trust in Project ETHOS grows every day. To advance the incredible advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce the new hire as the latest Studio Head of the team. After several months of discussions, Ben comes aboard us on next week.
Ben’s leadership and experience in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having dedicated the past decade and a half developing and managing some of the most popular franchises in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.
I invite you all in welcoming him in the coming days. We are all eager to keep seeing the development of the game in the weeks to follow.
David
Experience of the New Leader
Brinkman presently holds the position of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had stints at other industry leaders.
Title Information and Concept
The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. At the time, 31st Union described the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an thrilling step forward on the style."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the official summary states. "Face the competition with new abilities, challenges, and challenges that evolve every session. Do you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively aim high, put it on the line, and trust your group can achieve the highest spot? The decision is in your hands."
The game does not have an official release date or consoles, but enthusiasts can expect more updates as development continues.
