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The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Leadership Transition Follows Mixed Response

Brinkman assumes the role of studio head at the development studio following the departure of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's disappointing unveiling last autumn.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified staff about this organizational change through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had shown the need for a more defined game identity.

Ismailer expressed that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a renewed vision, aiming to better meet player expectations.

A Pattern of Key Acquisitions

The news mirrors a similar action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the entire content from Ismailer's communication:

Team—

I understand you all just finished your gathering - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Previously I sent you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative designers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to persist.”

Through your commitment and adaptability, especially over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was informative. It confirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had refinements needed. It revealed the requirement for a clearer identity.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the feedback to heart and revamped Project ETHOS with a refreshed vision - one that’s positioned to deliver on its promise to our fans.

Our confidence in this project grows every day. To advance the outstanding progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Director of 31st Union. After several months of discussions, Ben starts with us on next week.

Ben’s leadership and experience in the competitive gaming space is extensive, having dedicated the recent years producing and leading some of the most recognizable series in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in receiving Ben soon. We are all eager to continue seeing the evolution of the game in the time to follow.

The President

Experience of the Incoming Head

The appointee currently serves in the position of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Details and Concept

The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 together with a early access event. At the time, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative advancement on the style."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the description reads. "Face the opponents with fresh skills, stakes, and challenges that evolve every round. Will you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or aim high, gamble everything, and trust your group can achieve the highest spot? The choice is yours."

Project Ethos does not have an announced debut schedule or supported systems, but players can expect further news as development advances.