The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Management Transition Comes After Poor Response
The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at the development studio following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing early showing last autumn.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer informed employees about this decision through an internal memo, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had revealed the necessity for a more defined game identity.
The president stated that the team is now overhauling the project with a revised focus, aiming to satisfy player expectations.
Trend of Strategic Acquisitions
This announcement follows a similar action taken by the publisher in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to work on the beloved franchise development group.
Below is the complete message from the president's communication:
Team—
I know you all just finished your gathering - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Previously I sent you all a update, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative creators we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that partnership to endure.”
Through your commitment and flexibility, particularly over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.
The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was revealing. It validated the promise of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the requirement for a sharper brand.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the criticism to heart and revamped the title with a renewed vision - one that’s ready to achieve its ambition to our audience.
The trust in this project strengthens every day. To further the incredible advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce the new hire as the incoming Studio Head of the team. After some time of discussions, Ben starts with us on the specified date.
Ben’s leadership and expertise in the competitive gaming field is extensive, having dedicated the recent years producing and overseeing some of the most popular series in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.
I invite you all in receiving him next week. We are all looking forward to continue witnessing the development of the game in the months to come.
David
Background of the New Leader
The appointee currently serves in the role of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Information and Concept
The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. At the time, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative advancement on the style."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the official summary explains. "Face the competition with fresh skills, challenges, and challenges that evolve every round. Do you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively go big, put it on the line, and pray your team can secure victory? The decision is up to you."
Project Ethos lacks an confirmed release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can look forward to more updates as development advances.
