The renowned publisher has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the upcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as this innovative game.
Leadership Transition Follows Poor Feedback
Brinkman steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's underwhelming initial reveal last fall.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified employees about this organizational change through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had revealed the need for a distinct game identity.
Ismailer noted that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a revised vision, aiming to satisfy player expectations.
Trend of Strategic Recruitment
This announcement mirrors a similar step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on an industry veteran from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.
Here is the full text from the president's communication:
Dear Team—
I know you all just finished your gathering - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most driven and talented developers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re eager for that relationship to persist.”
Given your hard work and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The community feedback from last fall’s the game demo was revealing. It validated the appeal of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the requirement for a sharper identity.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the feedback to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a refreshed direction - one that’s poised to deliver on its ambition to our fans.
The belief in Project ETHOS grows every day. To advance the incredible advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce the new hire as the incoming Director of the team. Following several months of discussions, he officially joins us on the specified date.
Ben’s leadership and expertise in the PVP shooter genre is vast, having dedicated the recent years producing and managing some of the most recognizable franchises in the industry, such as the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, Apex Legends.
I invite you all in greeting Ben in the coming days. We are all eager to persist seeing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the months to follow.
David
Experience of the New Head
Brinkman currently serves in the position of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman previously was employed at major gaming companies in multiple development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Details and Vision
The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. At the time, 31st Union described the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting step forward on the genre."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch reads. "Face the opponents with fresh skills, stakes, and obstacles that shift every match. Do you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Or aim high, risk it all, and pray your team can earn top ranking? The decision is yours."
Project Ethos does not have an confirmed release date or supported systems, but fans can anticipate more updates as development progresses.
