The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Shift Comes After Poor Reception
The new appointee steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster initial reveal last fall.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer updated team members about this decision through an internal memo, which highlighted that playtesting had shown the requirement for a more defined vision.
The president stated that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a renewed focus, aiming to satisfy player expectations.
Trend of Strategic Acquisitions
The news follows a similar step taken by 2K Games in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the BioShock development group.
Here is the complete text from Ismailer's memo:
Hello Everyone—
I know you all just completed your town hall - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a update, I stated the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented developers we have had the pleasure to work with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to continue.”
With your dedication and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The community feedback from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was informative. It validated the promise of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the necessity for a sharper brand.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You took the input to consideration and reimagined the title with a refreshed direction - one that’s positioned to deliver on its potential to our fans.
The trust in this project grows every day. To advance the remarkable advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome Ben Brinkman as the new Director of 31st Union. After several months of talks, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20.
His management and experience in the competitive gaming genre is vast, having spent the recent years creating and overseeing some of the most popular titles in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and lately, the battle royale hit.
Let’s together in welcoming him next week. We are all excited to continue observing the evolution of the game in the months to follow.
The President
Background of the Incoming Head
The appointee presently holds the position of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Information and Vision
Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. Initially, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling step forward on the style."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch states. "Challenge the rivals with new abilities, risks, and challenges that shift every session. Do you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Or take a risk, put it on the line, and hope your team can achieve the highest spot? The decision is up to you."
Project Ethos does not have an confirmed release date or platforms, but enthusiasts can look forward to more updates as production continues.
