The renowned publisher has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the upcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as this innovative game.
Management Shift Comes After Mixed Response
Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster unveiling last fall.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had indicated the necessity for a more defined game identity.
The president stated that the developers is now refining the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to satisfy player expectations.
A Pattern of Key Acquisitions
This announcement echoes a similar move taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the complete text from the president's memo:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just finished your meeting - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most driven and creative designers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re excited for that relationship to persist.”
Through your commitment and adaptability, particularly over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The community feedback from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was informative. It validated the promise of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the need for a clearer identity.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the feedback to consideration and overhauled Project ETHOS with a revitalized vision - one that’s poised to achieve its potential to our fans.
The belief in Project ETHOS grows every day. To boost the remarkable advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of 31st Union. After a period of discussions, he comes aboard us on next week.
His leadership and experience in the competitive gaming space is vast, having dedicated 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, Apex Legends.
Please join me in greeting Ben next week. We are all eager to keep witnessing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to come.
The President
Experience of the New Head
Brinkman presently holds the role of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He earlier was employed at major gaming companies in various production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Information and Vision
The upcoming game was announced in last year alongside a early access event. At the time, 31st Union presented the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative advancement on the genre."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the official summary explains. "Face the competition with fresh skills, risks, and obstacles that shift every session. Will you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Or go big, put it on the line, and hope your squad can earn top ranking? The decision is yours."
The game has not yet received an confirmed release date or platforms, but fans can anticipate additional details as development progresses.
