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The renowned publisher has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Follows Mixed Reception

Brinkman steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the exit of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's disappointing unveiling last fall.

Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified team members about this decision through an internal memo, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had shown the need for a clearer direction.

Ismailer noted that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a revised approach, aiming to address gamer demands.

Trend of Key Acquisitions

The news follows a comparable move taken by the publisher in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to work on the beloved franchise development group.

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

Dear Team—

I understand you all just completed your town hall - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Previously I shared you all a message, I expressed the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and creative developers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to endure.”

Given your hard work and versatility, especially over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.

The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS playtest was revealing. It affirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had work to do. It uncovered the requirement for a sharper identity.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the criticism to mind and overhauled Project ETHOS with a refreshed direction - one that’s poised to deliver on its potential to our fans.

The belief in Project ETHOS increases every day. To advance the remarkable development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome the new hire as the incoming Lead of 31st Union. Following a period of discussions, he starts with us on the specified date.

Ben’s guidance and expertise in the PVP shooter space is extensive, having devoted the recent years creating and leading some of the most recognizable titles in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in welcoming him next week. We are all eager to continue witnessing the evolution of the game in the months to follow.

David

Background of the New Leader

The appointee currently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in various development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Title Details and Concept

The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. At the time, the developers described the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting evolution on the category."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to match your preferred approach," the official summary states. "Take on the rivals with fresh skills, risks, and obstacles that change every round. Will you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively take a risk, gamble everything, and trust your squad can achieve the highest spot? The decision is in your hands."

The game has not yet received an confirmed launch window or platforms, but fans can expect further news as development advances.