The renowned publisher has welcomed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to direct the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently developing the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Leadership Change Comes After Mixed Reception
Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming unveiling last autumn.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer updated staff about this strategic move through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had shown the requirement for a clearer vision.
The president expressed that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a renewed approach, aiming to satisfy community desires.
A Pattern of Strategic Recruitment
The news echoes a comparable move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.
Below is the full content from Ismailer's communication:
Dear Team—
I know you all just wrapped up your gathering - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and talented designers we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re eager for that partnership to persist.”
With your dedication and versatility, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The community feedback from last autumn’s the game testing phase was revealing. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the necessity for a clearer identity.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You took the criticism to consideration and reimagined the title with a revitalized direction - one that’s positioned to deliver on its potential to our audience.
The belief in Project ETHOS increases every day. To further the incredible advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce the new hire as the incoming Studio Head of the team. After several months of talks, Ben comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s leadership and experience in the PVP shooter space is vast, having spent the past decade and a half creating and managing some of the most recognizable titles in the industry, for example the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.
I invite you all in greeting Ben next week. We are all excited to keep seeing the development of the game in the time to come.
The President
Experience of the Incoming Leader
Brinkman currently holds the position of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Information and Concept
Project Ethos was revealed in last year in conjunction with a public demo. Initially, the developers presented the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an innovative step forward on the style."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to match your preferred approach," the official summary states. "Face the opponents with unique powers, stakes, and obstacles that shift every match. Do you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Alternatively go big, gamble everything, and hope your team can achieve the highest spot? The option is up to you."
Project Ethos does not have an official launch window or supported systems, but players can anticipate more updates as production progresses.
