The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the anticipated over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as this innovative game.
Management Transition Comes After Lukewarm Feedback
The new appointee assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster unveiling last autumn.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure notified staff about this strategic move through an internal memo, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had revealed the need for a clearer vision.
The president noted that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a refreshed vision, aiming to better meet gamer demands.
A Pattern of Key Acquisitions
This announcement mirrors a comparable action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the complete text from the president's communication:
Hello Everyone—
I know you all just completed your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented developers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to endure.”
Through your commitment and flexibility, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It validated the appeal of a action-packed game but made clear we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the necessity for a more distinct vision.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the criticism to mind and reimagined Project ETHOS with a revitalized vision - one that’s positioned to deliver on its promise to our audience.
The belief in this project grows every day. To further the remarkable advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce the new hire as the new Lead of 31st Union. After some time of discussions, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s guidance and experience in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having devoted the last 15 years creating and managing some of the most well-known titles in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.
Please join me in welcoming him in the coming days. We are all eager to continue observing the development of the game in the months to follow.
The President
Background of the New Leader
Brinkman presently holds the role of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in various development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Details and Concept
The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. Initially, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting evolution on the category."
"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 game's pitch states. "Face the rivals with new abilities, challenges, and obstacles that shift every round. Do you safely extract with your collected items? Or take a risk, risk it all, and trust your squad can achieve the highest spot? The choice is yours."
Project Ethos has not yet received an confirmed release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can anticipate more updates as creation continues.
