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The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the forthcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift Follows Poor Reception

Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing early showing last fall.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure updated employees about this strategic move through an internal memo, which highlighted that playtesting had revealed the necessity for a distinct vision.

Ismailer noted that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a refreshed focus, aiming to satisfy player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions

The news follows a similar move taken by the publisher in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the BioShock development group.

Below is the complete message from Ismailer's announcement:

Team—

I know you all just finished your meeting - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a update, I stated the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and talented creators we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to continue.”

Through your commitment and versatility, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The community feedback from last autumn’s the game testing phase was enlightening. It validated the potential of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had improvements to make. It revealed the necessity for a clearer brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the criticism to mind and reimagined Project ETHOS with a revitalized goal - one that’s poised to deliver on its promise to our audience.

The trust in this project strengthens every day. To further the remarkable advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce Ben Brinkman as the new Director of the team. After several months of discussions, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s leadership and expertise in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having spent the past decade and a half producing and overseeing some of the most well-known titles in gaming, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in welcoming him next week. We are all looking forward to keep seeing the development of the game in the months to follow.

David

Experience of the New Leader

Brinkman currently holds the role of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously was employed at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had stints at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Vision

Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a early access event. Then, the developers described the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling step forward on the style."

"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 description states. "Challenge the rivals with new abilities, stakes, and obstacles that shift every session. Will you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Alternatively take a risk, risk it all, and pray your group can earn top ranking? The option is yours."

Project Ethos does not have an official release date or platforms, but fans can look forward to additional details as development advances.