The renowned publisher has secured a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Leadership Shift Follows Mixed Feedback
The new appointee steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming initial reveal last autumn.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer informed staff about this organizational change through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had indicated the necessity for a distinct game identity.
Ismailer stated that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to better meet community desires.
Trend of Strategic Acquisitions
This announcement follows a comparable action taken by 2K Games in August, when they brought on an industry veteran from the Diablo team to contribute to the BioShock development group.
Below is the full text from the president's announcement:
Team—
I understand you all just completed your town hall - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Previously I sent you all a note, I expressed the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and talented designers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to continue.”
Through your commitment and flexibility, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The gamer responses from last fall’s the game playtest was enlightening. It validated the appeal of a action-packed game but told us we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the requirement for a clearer brand.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the criticism to mind and revamped the title with a revitalized direction - one that’s poised to deliver on its ambition to our fans.
The trust in this project increases every day. To further the outstanding progress you’ve made, I’m excited to announce the new hire as the latest Lead of the team. Following a period of talks, Ben starts with us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s management and background in the competitive gaming genre is vast, having devoted the recent years developing and overseeing some of the most recognizable titles in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, the battle royale hit.
I invite you all in greeting him next week. We are all eager to continue seeing the progress of the game in the time to come.
David
Experience of the Incoming Head
The appointee currently holds the role of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, earlier in his career, had stints at other industry leaders.
Title Information and Vision
The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. Initially, 31st Union described the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling advancement on the style."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the official summary reads. "Take on the competition with fresh skills, stakes, and tests that evolve every match. Do you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Or go big, risk it all, and trust your team can achieve the highest spot? The option is up to you."
Project Ethos does not have an confirmed launch window or platforms, but players can expect more updates as development progresses.
