The renowned publisher has welcomed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Management Shift Follows Poor Feedback
The new appointee assumes the leadership position at 31st Union following the departure of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster initial reveal last fall.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure informed staff about this strategic move through an internal memo, which highlighted that playtesting had indicated the requirement for a more defined vision.
The president noted that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to better meet player expectations.
A Pattern of Key Hires
This announcement mirrors a comparable action taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the BioShock development group.
Below is the complete message from Ismailer's memo:
Hello Everyone—
I know you all just finished your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and innovative developers we have had the pleasure to work with - and we’re excited for that relationship to persist.”
With your dedication and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The player input from last autumn’s Project ETHOS playtest was revealing. It affirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had improvements to make. It revealed the necessity for a more distinct brand.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the input to mind and reimagined the title with a revitalized direction - one that’s ready to deliver on its promise to our players.
Our confidence in this project strengthens every day. To advance the remarkable development you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce the new hire as the latest Studio Head of 31st Union. After some time of discussions, he comes aboard us on next week.
Ben’s management and expertise in the PVP shooter genre is vast, having spent the past decade and a half creating and leading some of the most recognizable series in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.
I invite you all in greeting Ben soon. We are all looking forward to continue seeing the progress of the game in the months to ahead.
The President
Background of the New Leader
The appointee currently serves in the role of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Information and Vision
Project Ethos was revealed in last year alongside a early access event. Then, 31st Union described the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting advancement on the genre."
"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 states. "Challenge the competition with fresh skills, stakes, and tests that evolve every session. Will you safely extract with your collected items? Or take a risk, put it on the line, and trust your team can achieve the highest spot? The decision is yours."
The game lacks an announced launch window or platforms, but players can look forward to more updates as production advances.
