The renowned publisher has secured a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently developing the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Shift Comes After Poor Feedback
The new appointee assumes the leadership position at 31st Union following the departure of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's underwhelming early showing last autumn.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer informed team members about this strategic move through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had indicated the necessity for a more defined direction.
The president expressed that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a refreshed vision, aiming to address player expectations.
Trend of Strategic Acquisitions
This announcement echoes a comparable move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the full message from the president's communication:
Hello Everyone—
I know you all just wrapped up your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented designers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that partnership to endure.”
Given your hard work and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.
The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was informative. It affirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the requirement for a sharper brand.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the input to heart and revamped Project ETHOS with a revitalized vision - one that’s ready to deliver on its ambition to our players.
Our confidence in this project increases every day. To further the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce Ben Brinkman as the new Lead of 31st Union. Following several months of discussions, he officially joins us on next week.
Ben’s management and background in the competitive gaming genre is considerable, having dedicated the past decade and a half developing and overseeing some of the most recognizable series in gaming, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.
I invite you all in greeting him next week. We are all excited to persist observing the development of Project ETHOS in the time to ahead.
The President
Experience of the Incoming Head
Brinkman currently serves in the role of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, before that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Details and Vision
Project Ethos was announced in last year alongside a community playtest. Initially, 31st Union presented the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling step forward on the style."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch states. "Challenge the competition with unique powers, risks, and obstacles that shift every match. Do you safely extract with your collected items? Alternatively aim high, gamble everything, and trust your squad can earn top ranking? The choice is yours."
The game lacks an confirmed debut schedule or platforms, but fans can anticipate additional details as production continues.
