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The renowned publisher has welcomed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Change Comes After Mixed Feedback

The new appointee steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the departure of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster unveiling last autumn.

Recently, the company's top executive a key figure informed staff about this organizational change through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had revealed the need for a distinct direction.

Ismailer noted that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a revised vision, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.

Trend of Strategic Hires

The news mirrors a similar move taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the beloved franchise development group.

Here is the complete content from the president's announcement:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just completed your town hall - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the positive developments. Previously I sent you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and creative creators we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to persist.”

With your dedication and versatility, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The community feedback from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It validated the promise of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had work to do. It uncovered the necessity for a more distinct vision.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the criticism to mind and overhauled the title with a revitalized direction - one that’s ready to deliver on its ambition to our audience.

The trust in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To boost the remarkable progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of 31st Union. Following several months of discussions, Ben officially joins us on next week.

Ben’s guidance and background in the competitive gaming genre is considerable, having dedicated the recent years producing and overseeing some of the most well-known series in the industry, such as the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in receiving Ben soon. We are all eager to continue observing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the time to come.

The President

Background of the Incoming Head

Brinkman currently holds the role of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had periods at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Vision

Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. Initially, 31st Union described the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling step forward on the genre."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in real-time to match your preferred approach," the description reads. "Challenge the opponents with unique powers, risks, and tests that change every session. Will you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively go big, risk it all, and hope your team can secure victory? The choice is up to you."

The game does not have an official release date or consoles, but enthusiasts can look forward to additional details as development continues.