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The renowned publisher has welcomed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the forthcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Transition Comes After Mixed Reception

The new appointee takes on the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's underwhelming initial reveal last autumn.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer informed staff about this decision through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had shown the necessity for a more defined game identity.

The president stated that the developers is now refining the project with a refreshed approach, aiming to better meet community desires.

A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions

The news mirrors a similar move taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the BioShock development group.

Here is the full message from the president's communication:

Dear Team—

I know you all just finished your meeting - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Previously I sent you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most driven and innovative developers we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re eager for that partnership to continue.”

With your dedication and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s the game demo was informative. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the need for a sharper brand.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the feedback to mind and revamped the title with a renewed vision - one that’s positioned to achieve its potential to our audience.

The trust in Project ETHOS grows every day. To advance the outstanding progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of the team. After some time of conversations, Ben starts with us on next week.

His leadership and experience in the competitive gaming space is vast, having dedicated the recent years developing and managing some of the most popular series in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, Apex Legends.

Let’s together in greeting Ben soon. We are all eager to persist witnessing the progress of Project ETHOS in the months to follow.

The President

Background of the New Leader

Brinkman presently serves in the position of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Concept

The upcoming game was revealed in last year together with a early access event. At the time, the developers presented the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative step forward 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 states. "Face the rivals with unique powers, challenges, and challenges that change every round. Will you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Alternatively aim high, put it on the line, and hope your team can secure victory? The option is in your hands."

Project Ethos has not yet received an announced release date or supported systems, but players can anticipate additional details as production continues.