The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Management Transition Follows Lukewarm Reception
The new appointee assumes 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 the game's lackluster early showing last fall.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified team members about this decision through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had indicated the necessity for a more defined game identity.
Ismailer expressed that the developers is now overhauling the project with a refreshed focus, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.
Trend of Strategic Hires
The news mirrors a similar step taken by the publisher in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the entire text from Ismailer's announcement:
Team—
I understand you all just completed your meeting - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Previously I sent you all a update, I expressed the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative creators we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that partnership to endure.”
Through your commitment and versatility, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.
The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS playtest was revealing. It validated the appeal of a action-packed game but made clear we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the necessity for a clearer identity.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the feedback to consideration and overhauled the title with a refreshed direction - one that’s ready to deliver on its promise to our fans.
The belief in Project ETHOS grows every day. To advance the incredible development you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce the new hire as the incoming Director of the team. After several months of conversations, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20.
His guidance and background in the PVP shooter field is considerable, having dedicated the last 15 years developing and managing some of the most popular titles in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.
I invite you all in welcoming him soon. We are all eager to persist witnessing the evolution of the game in the weeks to ahead.
David
Background of the Incoming Leader
Brinkman currently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier worked at major gaming companies in various development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had assignments at other industry leaders.
Game Information and Concept
Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. Initially, 31st Union described the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting advancement on the style."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary states. "Challenge the competition with new abilities, challenges, and obstacles that evolve every match. Will you safely extract with your collected items? Alternatively aim high, put it on the line, and hope your group can earn top ranking? The option is in your hands."
The game has not yet received an announced debut schedule or consoles, but fans can expect more updates as development progresses.
