The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.
Management Change Follows Lukewarm Reception
Brinkman steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the departure of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming unveiling last fall.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure notified team members about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had shown the need for a distinct direction.
Ismailer stated that the developers is now reimagining the project with a renewed focus, aiming to satisfy player expectations.
Trend of Strategic Recruitment
The news mirrors a comparable action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on an industry veteran from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.
Below is the full message from Ismailer's memo:
Team—
I know you all just wrapped up your town hall - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Last time I shared you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented developers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re looking forward for that relationship to persist.”
Through your commitment and adaptability, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It confirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but made clear we still had work to do. It highlighted the necessity for a clearer identity.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You took the criticism to consideration and revamped the title with a revitalized vision - one that’s positioned to deliver on its potential to our players.
The belief in Project ETHOS increases every day. To advance the outstanding development you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of 31st Union. Following several months of discussions, he comes aboard us on the specified date.
Ben’s guidance and expertise in the competitive gaming field is vast, having dedicated the past decade and a half producing and overseeing some of the most popular titles in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.
Please join me in welcoming him next week. We are all eager to continue witnessing the development of the game in the time to follow.
David
Experience of the Incoming Head
The appointee currently serves in the role of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had stints at other industry leaders.
Title Details and Concept
The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. Initially, 31st Union presented the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting evolution on the category."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the description states. "Challenge the opponents with fresh skills, challenges, and challenges that evolve every match. Will you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or take a risk, put it on the line, and pray your squad can achieve the highest spot? The choice is in your hands."
Project Ethos has not yet received an confirmed debut schedule or consoles, but enthusiasts can look forward to additional details as production progresses.
