The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.
Leadership Shift Follows Poor Feedback
The new appointee steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the departure of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' disappointing early showing last fall.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer informed employees about this strategic move through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had shown the necessity for a distinct game identity.
The president stated that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a renewed focus, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.
A Pattern of Key Recruitment
This announcement mirrors a comparable step taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the full message from the president's memo:
Team—
I understand you all just finished your meeting - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a update, I stated the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented creators we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to endure.”
With your dedication and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The community feedback from last fall’s the game playtest was enlightening. It validated the promise of a action-packed game but told us we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the need for a sharper brand.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You took the criticism to consideration and reimagined Project ETHOS with a refreshed direction - one that’s positioned to fulfill its promise to our audience.
The trust in this project strengthens every day. To further the incredible development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce the new hire as the incoming Lead of 31st Union. Following some time of discussions, he comes aboard us on next week.
Ben’s leadership and background in the competitive gaming space is considerable, having devoted the recent years creating and leading some of the most popular franchises in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.
Please join me in welcoming Ben soon. We are all looking forward to persist seeing the evolution of the game in the weeks to follow.
David
Experience of the Incoming Leader
The appointee presently holds 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, prior to that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Details and Vision
The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. Then, the developers described the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling advancement on the style."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch explains. "Challenge the competition with new abilities, risks, and tests that shift every session. Will you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Or take a risk, put it on the line, and hope your squad can earn top ranking? The decision is in your hands."
The game lacks an announced release date or platforms, but players can anticipate further news as development advances.
