🔗 Share this article

The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently developing the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift Follows Poor Reception

Brinkman takes on the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster initial reveal last autumn.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified staff about this decision through an internal memo, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had shown the need for a distinct game identity.

The president noted that the team is now refining the project with a renewed vision, aiming to better meet player expectations.

Trend of Key Recruitment

The news echoes a comparable move taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the full message from the president's announcement:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just wrapped up your town hall - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a update, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and creative designers we have had the pleasure to work with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to persist.”

With your dedication and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was revealing. It validated the promise of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the need for a more distinct vision.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the input to consideration and overhauled the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s poised to achieve its potential to our players.

The trust in this project strengthens every day. To further the remarkable development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome the new hire as the incoming Director of 31st Union. After some time of talks, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s management and expertise in the competitive gaming space is vast, having spent the last 15 years developing and overseeing some of the most recognizable titles in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.

Please join me in greeting Ben in the coming days. We are all excited to continue observing the evolution of the game in the months to come.

David

Background of the New Leader

The appointee presently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had periods at other industry leaders.

Title Information and Vision

The upcoming game was revealed in last year alongside a public demo. At the time, 31st Union presented the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an innovative advancement on the category."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch reads. "Face the competition with new abilities, stakes, and obstacles that change every round. Do you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Or go big, put it on the line, and trust your group can secure victory? The decision is in your hands."

Project Ethos has not yet received an announced launch window or platforms, but players can look forward to more updates as creation advances.