The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the forthcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Change Follows Lukewarm Feedback
The new appointee takes on the leadership position at 31st Union following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's underwhelming unveiling last fall.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure informed team members about this organizational change through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had shown the requirement for a clearer vision.
The president expressed that the team is now refining the project with a refreshed approach, aiming to address gamer demands.
Trend of Strategic Acquisitions
This announcement follows a comparable step taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the full content from the president's communication:
Dear Team—
I know you all just completed your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a update, I stated the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative creators we have had the chance to work with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to endure.”
Through your commitment and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The community feedback from last fall’s the game playtest was informative. It validated the potential of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the need for a more distinct vision.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the input to consideration and reimagined the title with a renewed vision - one that’s positioned to fulfill its potential to our players.
Our confidence in Project ETHOS grows every day. To boost the remarkable progress you’ve made, I’m excited to announce the new hire as the new Lead of 31st Union. After some time of talks, Ben starts with us on next week.
Ben’s leadership and experience in the PVP shooter field is vast, having spent the recent years creating and managing some of the most recognizable titles in gaming, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, the battle royale hit.
Let’s together in receiving Ben soon. We are all looking forward to continue observing the progress of Project ETHOS in the months to come.
David
Background of the Incoming Head
The appointee currently serves in the position of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously worked at major gaming companies in various development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Information and Vision
The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. Initially, the developers portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling advancement on the category."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the official summary states. "Take on the opponents with unique powers, stakes, and obstacles that change every match. Do you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively go big, put it on the line, and trust your team can achieve the highest spot? The choice is in your hands."
The game lacks an announced launch window or platforms, but enthusiasts can expect additional details as creation continues.
