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The renowned publisher has welcomed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to lead the development team at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Transition Follows Lukewarm Response

Brinkman takes on the leadership position at 31st Union following the departure of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's lackluster initial reveal last autumn.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had indicated the necessity for a more defined vision.

Ismailer noted that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to satisfy community desires.

A Pattern of Strategic Hires

This announcement echoes a comparable action taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise development group.

Below is the complete text from the president's communication:

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just finished your gathering - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Previously I shared you all a message, I stated the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative creators we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re excited for that relationship to endure.”

Through your commitment and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.

The player input from last fall’s the game demo was informative. It affirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the need for a clearer brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the feedback to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a revitalized goal - one that’s poised to achieve its promise to our audience.

The belief in this project increases every day. To advance the outstanding development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Director of 31st Union. Following several months of conversations, he comes aboard us on the specified date.

Ben’s leadership and background in the PVP shooter genre is considerable, having dedicated the last 15 years creating and managing some of the most well-known series in the industry, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in receiving him soon. We are all looking forward to continue witnessing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the months to come.

David

Experience of the Incoming Head

The appointee currently serves in the position of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Details and Concept

The upcoming game was announced in last year alongside a community playtest. Initially, the developers described the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling 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 game's pitch reads. "Challenge the rivals with unique powers, stakes, and obstacles that shift every match. Will you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Or go big, gamble everything, and hope your team can achieve the highest spot? The option is up to you."

The game lacks an official launch window or platforms, but fans can expect more updates as creation advances.