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The renowned publisher has welcomed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Management Change Follows Poor Reception

Brinkman steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' underwhelming unveiling last fall.

Recently, the company's top executive a key figure informed team members about this strategic move through an internal memo, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had shown the necessity for a more defined vision.

The president noted that the team is now refining the project with a revised focus, aiming to satisfy player expectations.

Trend of Key Acquisitions

This announcement mirrors a comparable move taken by the publisher in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the complete message from Ismailer's memo:

Team—

I understand you all just wrapped up your gathering - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Last time I shared you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and talented creators we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to continue.”

Through your commitment and versatility, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was enlightening. It confirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but told us we still had work to do. It highlighted the necessity for a clearer identity.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the criticism to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a revitalized goal - one that’s poised to achieve its promise to our audience.

Our confidence in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the incredible advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce Ben Brinkman as the latest Lead of 31st Union. Following several months of discussions, he starts with us on the specified date.

Ben’s management and expertise in the PVP shooter genre is vast, having devoted the recent years creating and leading some of the most recognizable series in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in receiving Ben soon. We are all eager to continue witnessing the evolution of the game in the months to follow.

The President

Background of the New Leader

The appointee currently serves in the role of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Information and Concept

Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 together with a community playtest. Initially, the developers portrayed the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative step forward on the category."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the official summary states. "Face the opponents with new abilities, stakes, and tests that evolve every session. Will you safely extract with your collected items? Or aim high, put it on the line, and trust your group can secure victory? The choice is up to you."

The game lacks an announced launch window or platforms, but enthusiasts can look forward to more updates as development progresses.