The renowned publisher has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Management Shift Comes After Lukewarm Response
Brinkman takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the exit of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster early showing last fall.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified staff about this strategic move through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had revealed the need for a clearer game identity.
The president noted that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a refreshed vision, aiming to better meet community desires.
Trend of Strategic Acquisitions
This announcement mirrors a similar move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the full content from the president's announcement:
Hello Everyone—
I know you all just finished your meeting - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Previously I shared you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented designers we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to endure.”
Through your commitment and flexibility, particularly over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.
The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It confirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but indicated we still had work to do. It uncovered the need for a sharper brand.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the input to mind and reimagined the title with a refreshed goal - one that’s positioned to fulfill its promise to our fans.
The belief in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To advance the remarkable development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce Ben Brinkman as the new Studio Head of 31st Union. After some time of conversations, he starts with us on the specified date.
Ben’s leadership and expertise in the competitive gaming space is vast, having devoted the past decade and a half creating and managing some of the most recognizable franchises in gaming, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.
Please join me in welcoming Ben soon. We are all eager to persist seeing the development of the game in the months to come.
The President
Experience of the Incoming Head
The appointee currently serves in the position of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, earlier in his career, had stints at other industry leaders.
Title Details and Vision
Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 together with a early access event. Then, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an thrilling step forward on the genre."
"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 official summary states. "Challenge the opponents with unique powers, risks, and tests that shift every match. Do you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Or take a risk, risk it all, and trust your team can earn top ranking? The decision is up to you."
The game does not have an official release date or platforms, but fans can look forward to more updates as development progresses.
