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The renowned publisher has welcomed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Change Comes After Poor Reception

Brinkman takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's underwhelming initial reveal last autumn.

Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified team members about this decision through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had shown the requirement for a more defined direction.

Ismailer noted that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a revised focus, aiming to address player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Recruitment

This announcement follows a comparable move taken by 2K Games in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the full content from Ismailer's announcement:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just completed your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a note, I expressed the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and talented designers we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to continue.”

Given your hard work and versatility, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The player input from last autumn’s the game demo was revealing. It validated the potential of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the requirement for a sharper brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the criticism to mind and revamped the title with a revitalized vision - one that’s ready to achieve its potential to our players.

Our confidence in this project grows every day. To boost the outstanding development you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome Ben Brinkman as the new Director of the team. After some time of conversations, Ben officially joins us on next week.

Ben’s guidance and experience in the competitive gaming genre is extensive, having devoted the recent years developing and overseeing some of the most recognizable franchises in the industry, such as the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in greeting him in the coming days. We are all looking forward to keep observing the development of the game in the time to ahead.

The President

Experience of the New Leader

The appointee currently serves in the role of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Details and Vision

The upcoming game was announced in last year in conjunction with a early access event. Initially, the developers 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 suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch states. "Face the rivals with fresh skills, stakes, and tests that evolve every match. Do you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Or aim high, put it on the line, and hope your squad can secure victory? The choice is in your hands."

The game lacks an confirmed debut schedule or consoles, but players can look forward to further news as development advances.