The renowned publisher has welcomed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Management Shift Comes After Poor Feedback
Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the exit of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster initial reveal last fall.
Recently, the company's top executive a key figure informed employees about this organizational change through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had revealed the necessity for a distinct game identity.
Ismailer noted that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a renewed vision, aiming to better meet player expectations.
A Pattern of Key Acquisitions
This announcement echoes a comparable action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired an industry veteran from the Diablo team to work on the beloved franchise development group.
Below is the entire content from the president's communication:
Team—
I understand you all just finished your town hall - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Previously I sent you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and talented creators we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that relationship to persist.”
Through your commitment and versatility, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.
The player input from last autumn’s the game playtest was revealing. It validated the potential of a action-packed game but made clear we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the need for a sharper vision.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You embraced the input to mind and revamped Project ETHOS with a revitalized direction - one that’s poised to fulfill its potential to our fans.
The trust in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the outstanding development you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Director of 31st Union. Following some time of conversations, he officially joins us on Monday, October 20.
His guidance and expertise in the PVP shooter genre is considerable, having dedicated the last 15 years producing and leading some of the most popular series in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.
Let’s together in welcoming Ben next week. We are all excited to persist seeing the evolution of the game in the months to ahead.
David
Experience of the New Leader
Brinkman presently holds the role of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously was employed at major gaming companies in various development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Details and Concept
Project Ethos was unveiled in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. Then, 31st Union described the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative advancement on the style."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to match your preferred approach," the game's pitch reads. "Take on the rivals with new abilities, stakes, and obstacles that evolve every match. Will you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively aim high, gamble everything, and trust your group can secure victory? The choice is in your hands."
Project Ethos has not yet received an announced debut schedule or platforms, but enthusiasts can expect more updates as development progresses.
