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The renowned publisher has secured a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently developing the forthcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Leadership Change Follows Mixed Reception

Brinkman takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the exit of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' disappointing initial reveal last autumn.

Recently, the company's top executive a key figure notified employees about this strategic move through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had revealed the need for a more defined game identity.

Ismailer noted that the developers is now reimagining the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to satisfy community desires.

Trend of Strategic Acquisitions

This announcement mirrors a comparable move taken by the publisher in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the entire text from the president's communication:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just wrapped up your gathering - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Last time I shared you all a message, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented developers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to endure.”

Through your commitment and flexibility, especially over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS playtest was informative. It validated the promise of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the necessity for a sharper vision.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the feedback to consideration and revamped Project ETHOS with a renewed goal - one that’s poised to fulfill its potential to our players.

The trust in this project increases every day. To further the remarkable advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome the new hire as the incoming Lead of 31st Union. After a period of talks, he officially joins us on next week.

His leadership and expertise in the competitive gaming space is extensive, having spent the last 15 years developing and managing some of the most recognizable series in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and lately, Apex Legends.

Please join me in receiving Ben next week. We are all eager to continue witnessing the progress of the game in the weeks to ahead.

The President

Experience of the New Leader

The appointee presently holds the role of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He previously worked at major gaming companies in multiple development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Title Details and Vision

Project Ethos was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. Then, the developers portrayed the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting advancement 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 suit your personal playstyle," the description explains. "Challenge the rivals with fresh skills, risks, and tests that shift every match. Will you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Or go big, risk it all, and pray your group can earn top ranking? The option is up to you."

Project Ethos does not have an announced launch window or platforms, but players can expect additional details as creation advances.