The renowned publisher has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.
Leadership Transition Comes After Lukewarm Reception
The new appointee assumes the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's lackluster early showing last autumn.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure informed team members about this decision through an official communication, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had indicated the requirement for a distinct vision.
Ismailer expressed that the team is now refining the project with a revised vision, aiming to address player expectations.
Trend of Strategic Acquisitions
This announcement mirrors a comparable step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.
Below is the entire message from the president's memo:
Dear Team—
I understand you all just finished your town hall - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Previously I sent you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and talented developers we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to endure.”
Through your commitment and flexibility, particularly over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.
The player input from last fall’s the game playtest was informative. It affirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the requirement for a sharper brand.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the feedback to consideration and reimagined the title with a refreshed direction - one that’s poised to deliver on its ambition to our players.
The belief in this project increases every day. To further the incredible advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce the new hire as the incoming Director of 31st Union. After a period of conversations, Ben starts with us on the specified date.
Ben’s management and background in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having dedicated the past decade and a half creating and overseeing some of the most popular franchises in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.
I invite you all in greeting him soon. We are all excited to keep observing the development of Project ETHOS in the weeks to come.
David
Background of the New Leader
Brinkman currently serves in the position of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had periods at other industry leaders.
Title Details and Vision
Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 together with a early access event. Initially, the developers portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting step forward on the category."
"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 official summary reads. "Take on the rivals with fresh skills, stakes, and challenges that change every match. Do you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Or go big, risk it all, and hope your squad can secure victory? The option is up to you."
The game does not have an official release date or consoles, but enthusiasts can expect further news as production advances.
