The renowned publisher has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Management Change Comes After Mixed Feedback
Brinkman steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's disappointing early showing last autumn.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified staff about this strategic move through an official communication, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had shown the necessity for a more defined direction.
Ismailer noted that the developers is now reimagining the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to address gamer demands.
Trend of Key Recruitment
The news mirrors a comparable step taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the full content from the president's memo:
Hello Everyone—
I know you all just finished your town hall - I trust you’re as thrilled 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 driven and talented developers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re eager for that partnership to persist.”
Given your hard work and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was revealing. It validated the promise of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the requirement for a more distinct brand.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the criticism to mind and overhauled Project ETHOS with a revitalized direction - one that’s poised to fulfill its potential to our players.
Our confidence in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the incredible advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to announce Ben Brinkman as the new Studio Head of the team. Following several months of discussions, he comes aboard us on next week.
Ben’s management and expertise in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having devoted the last 15 years producing and managing some of the most recognizable titles in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.
Let’s together in welcoming him next week. We are all eager to keep seeing the progress of the game in the time to ahead.
The President
Experience of the New Head
The appointee presently holds the role of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Information and Vision
Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 together with a public demo. Initially, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an exciting step forward on the category."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch reads. "Take on the opponents with fresh skills, risks, and tests that evolve every session. Do you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Alternatively take a risk, put it on the line, and trust your group can secure victory? The choice is up to you."
Project Ethos does not have an announced release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can expect additional details as production continues.
