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The renowned publisher has welcomed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Change Follows Lukewarm Reception

Brinkman 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 lackluster initial reveal last fall.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer updated staff about this strategic move through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had shown the necessity for a clearer game identity.

The president noted that the team is now overhauling the project with a revised focus, aiming to better meet gamer demands.

A Pattern of Strategic Hires

The news follows a comparable move taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to work on the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the full content from the president's memo:

Team—

I know you all just completed your town hall - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and talented developers we have had the pleasure to work with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to endure.”

Given your hard work and adaptability, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The player input from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was informative. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the requirement for a sharper identity.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the criticism to mind and reimagined Project ETHOS with a revitalized direction - one that’s ready to fulfill its ambition to our fans.

The trust in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the incredible advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome the new hire as the latest Lead of 31st Union. Following some time of discussions, Ben comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s management and background in the competitive gaming genre is extensive, having spent the recent years creating and leading some of the most popular series in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, Apex Legends.

Please join me in welcoming Ben next week. We are all excited to persist observing the progress of Project ETHOS in the weeks to follow.

David

Background of the New Head

The appointee currently holds the position of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Title Information and Concept

Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. At the time, the developers portrayed the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative evolution on the category."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the description reads. "Take on the rivals with fresh skills, stakes, and obstacles that evolve every round. Do you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Alternatively aim high, risk it all, and hope your team can secure victory? The choice is up to you."

Project Ethos has not yet received an announced release date or platforms, but players can expect more updates as creation advances.