The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently developing the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Leadership Transition Follows Poor Feedback
Brinkman steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing initial reveal last fall.
Recently, the company's top executive a key figure updated team members about this organizational change through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had shown the requirement for a distinct game identity.
The president noted that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a revised vision, aiming to address gamer demands.
Trend of Strategic Hires
The news mirrors a comparable move taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to work on the BioShock development group.
Here is the full content from Ismailer's announcement:
Dear Team—
I know you all just completed your town hall - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a note, I stated the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and talented designers we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that partnership to continue.”
Through your commitment and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.
The player input from last autumn’s the game demo was enlightening. It confirmed the potential of a action-packed game but told us we still had improvements to make. It revealed the necessity for a sharper identity.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the criticism to consideration and reimagined Project ETHOS with a renewed direction - one that’s ready to achieve its potential to our audience.
The trust in this project grows every day. To further the outstanding progress you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Director of 31st Union. Following a period of discussions, Ben officially joins us on the specified date.
Ben’s leadership and experience in the competitive gaming genre is extensive, having spent the last 15 years creating and managing some of the most recognizable titles in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and lately, the battle royale hit.
I invite you all in greeting him soon. We are all looking forward to persist observing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the months to come.
The President
Experience of the Incoming Head
The appointee currently holds the role of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier was employed 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 Vision
Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 alongside a public demo. Initially, the developers portrayed the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative evolution on the style."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to match your preferred approach," the game's pitch explains. "Face the opponents with unique powers, challenges, and challenges that evolve every round. Will you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Or go big, gamble everything, and hope your team can achieve the highest spot? The option is in your hands."
Project Ethos does not have an confirmed launch window or platforms, but players can expect further news as production advances.
