The renowned publisher has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the forthcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Change Comes After Mixed Response
The new appointee assumes the role of studio head at the development studio following the exit of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing unveiling last fall.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified team members about this organizational change through an internal memo, which highlighted that playtesting had indicated the need for a distinct direction.
Ismailer noted that the team is now overhauling the project with a renewed approach, aiming to better meet gamer demands.
Trend of Strategic Hires
The news follows a similar action taken by the publisher in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the complete message from Ismailer's memo:
Hello Everyone—
I know you all just completed your meeting - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a message, I stated the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented creators we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re excited for that partnership to endure.”
With your dedication and flexibility, particularly over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was informative. It validated the promise of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had work to do. It uncovered the requirement for a clearer identity.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You took the input to mind and reimagined the title with a renewed vision - one that’s ready to fulfill its ambition to our audience.
The trust in this project increases every day. To further the outstanding development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce the new hire as the latest Lead of 31st Union. After several months of discussions, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20.
His guidance and expertise in the competitive gaming field is extensive, having spent the recent years producing and overseeing some of the most well-known franchises in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.
I invite you all in greeting him next week. We are all excited to persist witnessing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the months to follow.
David
Background of the Incoming Head
Brinkman presently holds the role of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.
Title Details and Concept
The upcoming game was revealed in last year alongside a public demo. Initially, the developers presented the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an thrilling step forward on the genre."
"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 official summary reads. "Challenge the rivals with new abilities, stakes, and tests that change every match. Do you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively aim high, risk it all, and pray your squad can earn top ranking? The option is in your hands."
The game lacks an announced launch window or platforms, but fans can look forward to additional details as creation continues.
