The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Shift Comes After Mixed Response
The new appointee steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's underwhelming initial reveal last autumn.
Recently, the company's top executive a key figure notified employees about this organizational change through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had shown the requirement for a distinct game identity.
The president noted that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a refreshed vision, aiming to address player expectations.
Trend of Key Acquisitions
The news mirrors a similar step taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the full message from the president's announcement:
Team—
I know you all just completed your town hall - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Last time I shared you all a update, I expressed the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented designers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to endure.”
Through your commitment and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.
The community feedback from last autumn’s the game playtest was informative. It confirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but told us we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the need for a sharper identity.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the input to consideration and revamped the title with a renewed goal - one that’s poised to deliver on its potential to our fans.
The trust in Project ETHOS increases every day. To further the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of the team. Following some time of discussions, he starts with us on the specified date.
His management and background in the competitive gaming genre is extensive, having spent the last 15 years producing and leading some of the most recognizable series in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.
Please join me in receiving Ben soon. We are all looking forward to keep witnessing the development of the game in the weeks to follow.
David
Background of the Incoming Leader
Brinkman presently serves in the position 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 iconic franchise games, and, before that, had periods at other industry leaders.
Title Details and Vision
The upcoming game was revealed in last year together with a early access event. Then, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting advancement on the genre."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the description reads. "Take on the rivals with new abilities, challenges, and obstacles that evolve every session. Will you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Alternatively go big, gamble everything, and pray your team can earn top ranking? The choice is up to you."
The game has not yet received an official release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can anticipate more updates as development advances.
