The renowned publisher has welcomed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the forthcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Management Change Comes After Poor Feedback
The new appointee assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing early showing last autumn.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified employees about this decision through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had revealed the requirement for a distinct direction.
Ismailer stated that the team is now refining the project with a refreshed approach, aiming to better meet player expectations.
A Pattern of Key Hires
The news mirrors a similar move taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they brought on an industry veteran from the Diablo team to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the full text from Ismailer's communication:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just completed your town hall - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a update, I stated the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most driven and talented designers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re excited for that partnership to persist.”
Given your hard work and adaptability, particularly over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The community feedback from last autumn’s Project ETHOS demo was informative. It validated the potential of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had work to do. It highlighted the requirement for a more distinct brand.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You took the criticism to consideration and overhauled the title with a revitalized goal - one that’s poised to deliver on its ambition to our players.
Our confidence in this project strengthens every day. To advance the remarkable progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of the team. After a period of conversations, he officially joins us on the specified date.
His guidance and experience in the competitive gaming genre is vast, having dedicated the past decade and a half producing and overseeing some of the most recognizable series in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.
Please join me in receiving him soon. We are all excited to keep witnessing the development of Project ETHOS in the weeks to follow.
David
Background of the Incoming Leader
Brinkman currently serves in the position of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had periods at other industry leaders.
Game Details and Vision
The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. Then, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative evolution on the genre."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch states. "Challenge the opponents with unique powers, risks, and tests that shift every session. Will you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively aim high, put it on the line, and trust your group can secure victory? The option is yours."
The game does not have an official release date or consoles, but enthusiasts can look forward to additional details as creation progresses.
