The renowned publisher has welcomed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the forthcoming third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.
Management Change Comes After Mixed Response
Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the departure of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing unveiling last fall.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure updated employees about this decision through an official communication, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had indicated the necessity for a clearer game identity.
The president expressed that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a revised focus, aiming to better meet community desires.
Trend of Strategic Acquisitions
This announcement follows a similar action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the full content from the president's announcement:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just completed your meeting - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative designers we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to continue.”
Through your commitment and flexibility, particularly over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS playtest was informative. It affirmed the promise of a action-packed game but told us we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the need for a more distinct brand.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the feedback to consideration and overhauled the title with a renewed direction - one that’s positioned to deliver on its promise to our players.
The belief in this project strengthens every day. To advance the remarkable progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome the new hire as the latest Studio Head of 31st Union. After a period of discussions, he officially joins us on the specified date.
Ben’s management and expertise in the competitive gaming genre is considerable, having dedicated the past decade and a half creating and managing some of the most popular franchises in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.
Please join me in receiving him soon. We are all looking forward to persist seeing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the months to come.
David
Background of the New Head
Brinkman currently serves in the role of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He previously worked at major gaming companies in multiple development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Details and Vision
The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. Then, the developers presented the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative step forward on the genre."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the official summary explains. "Challenge the competition with fresh skills, risks, and obstacles that change every match. Will you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Or aim high, gamble everything, and pray your team can secure victory? The choice is yours."
Project Ethos does not have an announced debut schedule or supported systems, but fans can expect further news as production continues.
