🔗 Share this article

The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently developing the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Management Shift Follows Poor Response

The new appointee steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' underwhelming unveiling last fall.

Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified team members about this strategic move through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had indicated the necessity for a clearer direction.

Ismailer noted that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a revised focus, aiming to address gamer demands.

A Pattern of Key Recruitment

The news mirrors a comparable action taken by 2K Games in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise development group.

Here is the entire content from the president's communication:

Dear Team—

I know you all just finished your gathering - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the positive developments. Previously I sent you all a message, I stated the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and talented creators we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re excited for that relationship to persist.”

Through your commitment and adaptability, particularly over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.

The player input from last autumn’s the game testing phase was informative. It affirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had work to do. It highlighted the need for a more distinct brand.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the input to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a renewed vision - one that’s poised to achieve its ambition to our players.

The trust in this project increases every day. To advance the incredible development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce Ben Brinkman as the latest Lead of 31st Union. After several months of discussions, he starts with us on next week.

His management and background in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having devoted the past decade and a half creating and leading some of the most popular franchises in the industry, such as the acclaimed shooter, and lately, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in receiving him soon. We are all looking forward to continue observing the evolution of the game in the months to follow.

The President

Background of the Incoming Leader

The appointee currently serves in the role of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in various development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, prior to that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Vision

Project Ethos was unveiled in last year together with a public demo. At the time, the developers presented the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling evolution on the style."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary reads. "Face the rivals with new abilities, risks, and tests that evolve every match. Will you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Or aim high, risk it all, and trust your group can secure victory? The decision is yours."

Project Ethos lacks an confirmed release date or consoles, but fans can expect further news as development progresses.