The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the development team at their internal studio, which is currently working on the forthcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Management Shift Comes After Mixed Response
Brinkman assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's lackluster initial reveal last autumn.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer updated employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had shown the need for a distinct game identity.
The president noted that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a revised approach, aiming to better meet gamer demands.
Trend of Key Recruitment
This announcement follows a comparable step taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the complete text from Ismailer's communication:
Hello Everyone—
I know you all just wrapped up your town hall - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and innovative designers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to continue.”
Given your hard work and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.
The community feedback from last fall’s Project ETHOS playtest was revealing. It confirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the necessity for a more distinct identity.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the feedback to heart and revamped the title with a revitalized goal - one that’s positioned to fulfill its ambition to our audience.
The trust in this project grows every day. To advance the outstanding development you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome the new hire as the new Studio Head of the team. After several months of talks, he comes aboard us on next week.
Ben’s management and experience in the PVP shooter field is considerable, having dedicated the past decade and a half producing and leading some of the most recognizable series in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.
Let’s together in greeting him next week. We are all excited to persist seeing the progress of Project ETHOS in the time to follow.
The President
Experience of the Incoming Leader
The appointee presently serves in the position of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier was employed at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had assignments at other industry leaders.
Title Details and Vision
The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a early access event. At the time, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative advancement on the style."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the official summary explains. "Take on the rivals with fresh skills, risks, and obstacles that evolve every match. Will you leave securely with your collected items? Alternatively take a risk, gamble everything, and trust your team can achieve the highest spot? The choice is in your hands."
The game has not yet received an confirmed launch window or supported systems, but enthusiasts can anticipate more updates as production continues.
