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The renowned publisher has welcomed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift Comes After Lukewarm Reception

Brinkman steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing unveiling last autumn.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure updated employees about this strategic move through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had indicated the requirement for a distinct game identity.

Ismailer expressed that the team is now overhauling the project with a renewed approach, aiming to better meet community desires.

A Pattern of Key Hires

This announcement mirrors a similar action taken by the publisher in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise development group.

Here is the full message from Ismailer's communication:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just wrapped up your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Previously I sent you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most driven and innovative developers we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to continue.”

Through your commitment and adaptability, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The player input from last autumn’s the game testing phase was informative. It validated the appeal of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had refinements needed. It revealed the need for a clearer identity.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You took the input to consideration and overhauled the title with a revitalized goal - one that’s poised to achieve its potential to our audience.

The belief in Project ETHOS increases every day. To boost the incredible progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of 31st Union. After some time of talks, Ben officially joins us on the specified date.

Ben’s management and background in the PVP shooter field is considerable, having spent the recent years producing and overseeing some of the most recognizable franchises in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.

Let’s together in greeting Ben soon. We are all looking forward to persist observing the progress of Project ETHOS in the time to come.

The President

Experience of the Incoming Leader

The appointee currently serves in the position of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He earlier worked at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Details and Vision

Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. Then, the developers described the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling 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 official summary states. "Face the opponents with fresh skills, risks, and challenges that evolve every session. Will you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively aim high, put it on the line, and trust your squad can earn top ranking? The decision is in your hands."

Project Ethos does not have an announced release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can expect additional details as creation continues.