🔗 Share this article

The renowned publisher has welcomed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the development team at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Management Change Follows Mixed Response

The new appointee steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's lackluster initial reveal last fall.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer updated employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which highlighted that playtesting had indicated the requirement for a more defined direction.

Ismailer expressed that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a refreshed focus, aiming to address community desires.

Trend of Strategic Recruitment

The news follows a similar step taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the full text from the president's announcement:

Dear Team—

I know you all just completed your town hall - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a update, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative developers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that partnership to persist.”

Given your hard work and versatility, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It validated the potential of a action-packed game but indicated we still had improvements to make. It revealed the requirement for a more distinct identity.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the criticism to consideration and reimagined the title with a renewed vision - one that’s poised to achieve its potential to our players.

Our confidence in this project strengthens every day. To advance the remarkable development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce Ben Brinkman as the new Lead of 31st Union. Following some time of conversations, he comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s management and experience in the competitive gaming space is considerable, having devoted the past decade and a half developing and managing some of the most well-known series in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in greeting Ben next week. We are all excited to keep observing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the time to come.

The President

Experience of the Incoming Head

The appointee currently holds the position of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He earlier was employed at major gaming companies in various production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had periods at other industry leaders.

Title Details and Vision

Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a early access event. At the time, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative evolution on the category."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch explains. "Face the rivals with unique powers, challenges, and tests that change every session. Will you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Or go big, put it on the line, and hope your squad can secure victory? The option is in your hands."

The game lacks an official debut schedule or platforms, but enthusiasts can anticipate further news as production advances.