The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Change Follows Lukewarm Reception
Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's underwhelming unveiling last autumn.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer informed staff about this decision through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had revealed the requirement for a more defined direction.
The president stated that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a refreshed focus, aiming to satisfy community desires.
Trend of Key Hires
This announcement mirrors a comparable move taken by 2K Games in August, when they brought on an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the BioShock development group.
Below is the complete text from the president's communication:
Hello Everyone—
I know you all just finished your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Last time 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 opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to persist.”
With your dedication and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The player input from last fall’s the game playtest was enlightening. It validated the promise of a action-packed game but indicated we still had work to do. It revealed the need for a more distinct vision.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You embraced the criticism to mind and reimagined Project ETHOS with a renewed vision - one that’s positioned to fulfill its ambition to our players.
The trust in this project grows every day. To boost the remarkable advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce the new hire as the incoming Lead of the team. Following several months of talks, he officially joins us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s leadership and background in the PVP shooter field is vast, having spent the recent years creating and overseeing some of the most well-known franchises in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.
Let’s together in welcoming Ben soon. We are all eager to continue observing the development of the game in the months to follow.
The President
Experience of the Incoming Leader
The appointee presently holds the role of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman previously worked at major gaming companies in multiple development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, prior to that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Details and Concept
The upcoming game was announced in last year together with a community playtest. Initially, 31st Union presented the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling advancement on the category."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the description reads. "Challenge the competition with new abilities, challenges, and obstacles that shift every match. Will you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or aim high, risk it all, and hope your group can secure victory? The option is up to you."
The game has not yet received an confirmed debut schedule or platforms, but enthusiasts can look forward to additional details as development continues.
