The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Leadership Change Comes After Mixed Response
The new appointee steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming initial reveal last autumn.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified team members about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had indicated the requirement for a more defined direction.
Ismailer expressed that the team is now refining the project with a renewed vision, aiming to satisfy community desires.
Trend of Strategic Acquisitions
This announcement echoes a similar action taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to contribute to the BioShock development group.
Here is the full text from Ismailer's communication:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just wrapped up your meeting - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and talented developers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that relationship to persist.”
Through your commitment and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.
The community feedback from last fall’s the game playtest was enlightening. It confirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had work to do. It revealed the need for a sharper brand.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the feedback to mind and revamped the title with a renewed direction - one that’s poised to deliver on its ambition to our players.
Our confidence in this project strengthens every day. To advance the incredible development you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of 31st Union. After several months of conversations, he comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s guidance and expertise in the PVP shooter space is vast, having devoted the recent years developing and managing some of the most well-known titles in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.
Please join me in greeting him soon. We are all excited to persist seeing the development of Project ETHOS in the months to follow.
David
Background of the Incoming Leader
Brinkman currently holds the position of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He earlier was employed at major gaming companies in multiple development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had periods at other industry leaders.
Game Information and Concept
Project Ethos was unveiled in October 2024 together with a early access event. Initially, the developers portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative evolution on the genre."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the description states. "Challenge the competition with fresh skills, risks, and obstacles that change every match. Do you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Alternatively go big, risk it all, and pray your squad can secure victory? The decision is up to you."
Project Ethos lacks an official launch window or supported systems, but enthusiasts can anticipate further news as production advances.
