The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently working on the forthcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as this innovative game.
Management Change Follows Mixed Reception
Brinkman assumes the role of studio head at the development studio following the departure of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' disappointing early showing last fall.
Recently, the company's top executive a key figure notified staff about this strategic move through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had shown the need for a distinct game identity.
Ismailer expressed that the team is now refining the project with a refreshed approach, aiming to better meet player expectations.
A Pattern of Key Hires
This announcement mirrors a similar action taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.
Here is the entire content from the president's announcement:
Dear Team—
I know you all just finished your meeting - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Last time I shared you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most driven and creative developers we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to persist.”
With your dedication and flexibility, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The community feedback from last fall’s the game demo was informative. It confirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but made clear we still had improvements to make. It revealed the need for a sharper vision.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the input to heart and revamped the title with a renewed direction - one that’s ready to fulfill its potential to our fans.
The belief in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To further the incredible development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce the new hire as the new Director of the team. After a period of discussions, Ben comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s leadership and expertise in the competitive gaming genre is considerable, having dedicated the last 15 years developing and overseeing some of the most popular series in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.
I invite you all in receiving Ben soon. We are all looking forward to keep observing the evolution of the game in the weeks to ahead.
David
Background of the New Head
Brinkman currently holds the position of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at other industry leaders.
Title Information and Concept
Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 together with a early access event. At the time, 31st Union presented the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative evolution on the category."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch states. "Challenge the rivals with fresh skills, challenges, and challenges that change every session. Will you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Alternatively aim high, put it on the line, and pray your team can earn top ranking? The option is in your hands."
The game does not have an announced release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can anticipate more updates as production continues.
