The renowned publisher has welcomed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently developing the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.
Management Change Comes After Lukewarm Feedback
The new appointee assumes the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming initial reveal last fall.
Recently, the company's top executive a key figure informed employees about this organizational change through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had indicated the necessity for a distinct direction.
The president expressed that the developers is now reimagining the project with a refreshed approach, aiming to satisfy player expectations.
A Pattern of Strategic Recruitment
The news mirrors a comparable action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the BioShock development group.
Here is the complete message from the president's memo:
Team—
I know you all just completed your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a update, I stated the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most driven and innovative developers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re eager for that partnership to persist.”
With your dedication and flexibility, especially over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.
The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was enlightening. It validated the potential of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the need for a clearer identity.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You embraced the criticism to mind and reimagined Project ETHOS with a refreshed direction - one that’s ready to achieve its promise to our players.
Our confidence in Project ETHOS grows every day. To advance the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome Ben Brinkman as the latest Director of 31st Union. After several months of conversations, he starts with us on the specified date.
Ben’s management and expertise in the competitive gaming space is considerable, having devoted the last 15 years creating and leading some of the most well-known franchises in gaming, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, the battle royale hit.
Let’s together in greeting him in the coming days. We are all excited to persist witnessing the evolution of the game in the months to ahead.
The President
Experience of the New Leader
The appointee currently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier worked at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Information and Concept
The upcoming game was revealed in last year alongside a community playtest. Initially, the developers presented the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative evolution on the genre."
"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 description explains. "Face the rivals with fresh skills, stakes, and tests that shift every session. Do you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Or go big, put it on the line, and trust your group can secure victory? The choice is in your hands."
The game does not have an announced release date or supported systems, but fans can anticipate additional details as development continues.
