The renowned publisher has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the development team at their internal studio, which is currently working on the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Management Shift Follows Lukewarm Feedback
The new appointee takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's disappointing unveiling last autumn.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer informed team members about this decision through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had revealed the requirement for a more defined game identity.
Ismailer stated that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a renewed vision, aiming to address gamer demands.
Trend of Strategic Recruitment
The news echoes a comparable move taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on an industry veteran from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the complete message from Ismailer's memo:
Dear Team—
I know you all just completed your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most driven and creative creators we have had the pleasure to work with - and we’re eager for that partnership to persist.”
With your dedication and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.
The community feedback from last autumn’s Project ETHOS playtest was revealing. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the need for a sharper vision.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the input to mind and overhauled Project ETHOS with a refreshed direction - one that’s positioned to achieve its ambition to our audience.
The trust in this project grows every day. To advance the outstanding progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome Ben Brinkman as the new Lead of 31st Union. Following some time of discussions, he officially joins us on next week.
His guidance and experience in the competitive gaming space is considerable, having devoted the recent years producing and managing some of the most well-known titles in gaming, including 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 witnessing the development of the game in the time to ahead.
David
Background of the New Head
The appointee currently holds the role of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in multiple production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Information and Vision
Project Ethos was announced in last year in conjunction with a early access event. Initially, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting evolution on the genre."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch explains. "Face the competition with fresh skills, challenges, and challenges that change every match. Will you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Or aim high, gamble everything, and hope your squad can secure victory? The option is yours."
Project Ethos has not yet received an confirmed debut schedule or platforms, but players can look forward to additional details as production continues.
