The renowned publisher has secured a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the forthcoming third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.
Management Change Comes After Poor Reception
Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the exit of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing initial reveal last fall.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer updated staff about this organizational change through an internal memo, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had revealed the need for a clearer vision.
Ismailer stated that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a renewed approach, aiming to address player expectations.
Trend of Strategic Acquisitions
This announcement echoes a comparable action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise development group.
Below is the complete content from Ismailer's announcement:
Dear Team—
I understand you all just finished your town hall - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a message, I expressed the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and innovative developers we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to continue.”
Through your commitment and adaptability, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.
The community feedback from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It confirmed the promise of a action-packed game but made clear we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the necessity for a more distinct identity.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the input to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a refreshed vision - one that’s positioned to deliver on its promise to our players.
The trust in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the incredible development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome Ben Brinkman as the new Studio Head of 31st Union. After some time of discussions, he comes aboard us on the specified date.
Ben’s management and expertise in the competitive gaming genre is extensive, having devoted the recent years creating and leading some of the most recognizable franchises in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.
Let’s together in receiving Ben soon. We are all excited to continue seeing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to ahead.
The President
Experience of the Incoming Head
Brinkman currently holds the position of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in various development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Information and Concept
Project Ethos was revealed in last year in conjunction with a public demo. Then, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling advancement on the category."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the official summary states. "Face the opponents with fresh skills, stakes, and challenges that change every round. Will you leave securely with your collected items? Or aim high, gamble everything, and hope your squad can secure victory? The option is up to you."
The game lacks an confirmed launch window or supported systems, but players can look forward to additional details as creation continues.
