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The renowned publisher has welcomed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the anticipated over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Change Follows Lukewarm Reception

Brinkman takes on the leadership position at 31st Union following the exit of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster unveiling last autumn.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure updated employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which highlighted that playtesting had revealed the need for a distinct direction.

The president expressed that the developers is now overhauling the project with a renewed focus, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.

Trend of Key Hires

This announcement follows a similar step taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they brought on an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the entire text from the president's communication:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just finished your town hall - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Previously I sent you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and talented creators we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re excited for that collaboration 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 testing phase was enlightening. It validated the promise of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had work to do. It revealed the requirement for a sharper identity.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the input to mind and reimagined Project ETHOS with a renewed goal - one that’s positioned to achieve its potential to our players.

The belief in this project increases every day. To further the outstanding progress you’ve made, I’m excited to announce the new hire as the incoming Lead of the team. Following some time of talks, Ben comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.

His leadership and experience in the competitive gaming space is considerable, having dedicated the last 15 years developing and managing some of the most popular franchises in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.

Please join me in welcoming him next week. We are all excited to persist witnessing the development of the game in the time to follow.

David

Experience of the New Head

Brinkman currently holds the role of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Vision

Project Ethos was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a early access event. At the time, 31st Union presented the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an exciting advancement on the category."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary states. "Face the competition with fresh skills, stakes, and obstacles that change every round. Do you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or aim high, put it on the line, and pray your squad can achieve the highest spot? The decision is yours."

Project Ethos lacks an official release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can anticipate additional details as production advances.