The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the forthcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as this innovative game.
Leadership Change Follows Lukewarm Feedback
Brinkman steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming unveiling last fall.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer updated employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had shown the need for a clearer game identity.
The president stated that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a renewed vision, aiming to better meet gamer demands.
Trend of Key Acquisitions
This announcement mirrors a similar move taken by 2K Games in August, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.
Below is the full text from Ismailer's communication:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just completed your meeting - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Last time I shared you all a note, I expressed the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative creators we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to continue.”
With your dedication and versatility, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The player input from last fall’s the game playtest was enlightening. It affirmed the promise of a action-packed game but made clear we still had refinements needed. It revealed the necessity for a clearer identity.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the feedback to mind and revamped the title with a revitalized vision - one that’s positioned to achieve its promise to our audience.
Our confidence in this project increases every day. To boost the incredible development you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome Ben Brinkman as the new Lead of the team. After several months of conversations, he officially joins us on next week.
Ben’s guidance and experience in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having devoted the past decade and a half producing and leading some of the most popular series in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.
Let’s together in welcoming him soon. We are all looking forward to continue seeing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to ahead.
The President
Background of the New Leader
The appointee currently serves in the role of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He previously worked at major gaming companies in various development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Details and Vision
Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 together with a public demo. At the time, 31st Union presented the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling evolution on the style."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to match your preferred approach," the description explains. "Face the opponents with fresh skills, risks, and obstacles that shift every session. Will you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or go big, put it on the line, and hope your team can secure victory? The decision is yours."
The game has not yet received an confirmed debut schedule or consoles, but enthusiasts can expect further news as development progresses.
