The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Management Transition Follows Mixed Reception
The new appointee takes on the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's underwhelming early showing last autumn.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified employees about this decision through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had revealed the necessity for a more defined vision.
The president noted that the developers is now refining the project with a renewed focus, aiming to better meet gamer demands.
A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions
This announcement follows a comparable step taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise development group.
Here is the entire content from the president's announcement:
Dear Team—
I understand you all just finished your town hall - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a message, I stated the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most driven and talented creators we have had the chance to work with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to continue.”
With your dedication and flexibility, especially over the last year, you continue to prove that.
The gamer responses from last autumn’s the game demo was revealing. It validated the promise of a action-packed game but indicated we still had work to do. It highlighted the need for a clearer brand.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the criticism to mind and reimagined Project ETHOS with a revitalized direction - one that’s ready to fulfill its potential to our audience.
The trust in Project ETHOS grows every day. To boost the outstanding development you’ve made, I’m excited to announce the new hire as the latest Director of the team. After several months of discussions, Ben comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s guidance and expertise in the competitive gaming genre is considerable, having spent the recent years producing and managing some of the most well-known franchises in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.
Please join me in welcoming Ben next week. We are all eager to persist observing the progress of Project ETHOS in the time to come.
David
Background of the New Head
Brinkman currently serves in the role of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier worked at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Details and Vision
Project Ethos was unveiled in last year in conjunction with a early access event. Initially, 31st Union described the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting advancement on the category."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the official summary states. "Face the rivals with unique powers, risks, and tests that shift every match. Will you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Alternatively take a risk, put it on the line, and pray your team can earn top ranking? The option is in your hands."
Project Ethos has not yet received an announced debut schedule or platforms, but enthusiasts can look forward to additional details as creation advances.
