The renowned publisher has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Management Change Follows Poor Reception
Brinkman assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster unveiling last autumn.
Recently, the company's top executive a key figure informed team members about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had shown the need for a clearer game identity.
Ismailer expressed that the team is now overhauling the project with a renewed focus, aiming to better meet player expectations.
Trend of Strategic Hires
This announcement mirrors a comparable step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to work on the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the entire text from Ismailer's announcement:
Team—
I know you all just wrapped up your meeting - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Previously I sent you all a message, I stated the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative developers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to endure.”
Through your commitment and adaptability, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.
The gamer responses from last autumn’s the game testing phase was revealing. It confirmed the potential of a action-packed game but made clear we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the need for a clearer brand.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the criticism to mind and revamped Project ETHOS with a revitalized goal - one that’s poised to fulfill its promise to our audience.
The trust in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To boost the remarkable advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome Ben Brinkman as the latest Director of 31st Union. Following a period of discussions, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s leadership and expertise in the competitive gaming field is extensive, having dedicated the past decade and a half creating and overseeing some of the most well-known series in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.
Please join me in receiving him in the coming days. We are all excited to keep witnessing the progress of the game in the time to come.
The President
Experience of the New Head
Brinkman currently serves in the position of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at other industry leaders.
Game Information and Concept
Project Ethos was announced in last year in conjunction with a community playtest. Then, the developers portrayed the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative step forward on the category."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the description explains. "Challenge the rivals with new abilities, risks, and challenges that evolve every round. Will you leave securely with your collected items? Alternatively take a risk, gamble everything, and trust your team can secure victory? The option is in your hands."
Project Ethos does not have an announced launch window or platforms, but players can expect additional details as creation progresses.
