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

Management Transition Follows Mixed Reception

The new appointee steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' underwhelming unveiling last autumn.

Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer informed employees about this decision through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had indicated the need for a clearer vision.

The president stated that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a refreshed focus, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.

Trend of Strategic Acquisitions

This announcement follows a comparable step taken by the publisher in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to work on the beloved franchise development group.

Below is the complete message from Ismailer's communication:

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just finished your town hall - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Previously I sent you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most driven and creative creators we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to persist.”

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 affirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the need for a clearer brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the feedback to mind and reimagined Project ETHOS with a revitalized vision - one that’s poised to deliver on its ambition to our fans.

Our confidence in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To boost the remarkable development you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome the new hire as the new Studio Head of 31st Union. Following some time of discussions, Ben officially joins us on next week.

Ben’s management and expertise in the PVP shooter genre is considerable, having devoted the last 15 years creating and managing some of the most popular titles in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in greeting Ben soon. We are all looking forward to keep observing the development of the game in the weeks to come.

The President

Experience of the New Head

Brinkman currently serves in the role of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He earlier worked at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Concept

Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 together with a public demo. Then, 31st Union described the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an exciting advancement on the category."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch reads. "Take on the rivals with fresh skills, challenges, and obstacles that shift every session. Will you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Or aim high, gamble everything, and hope your squad can achieve the highest spot? The option is up to you."

Project Ethos lacks an confirmed release date or platforms, but enthusiasts can expect more updates as development continues.