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The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently developing the forthcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Change Comes After Mixed Response

The new appointee assumes the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster unveiling last autumn.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified employees about this decision through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had indicated the necessity for a more defined game identity.

Ismailer stated that the team is now refining the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to better meet player expectations.

Trend of Strategic Acquisitions

The news echoes a comparable step taken by 2K Games in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the entire message from Ismailer's communication:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just completed your town hall - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most driven and talented creators we have had the pleasure to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to endure.”

Given your hard work and adaptability, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS playtest was revealing. It validated the appeal of a action-packed game but made clear we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the necessity for a clearer vision.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You embraced the input to mind and reimagined Project ETHOS with a revitalized direction - one that’s ready to fulfill its ambition to our fans.

Our confidence in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To further the outstanding development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome Ben Brinkman as the new Studio Head of the team. Following several months of talks, he officially joins us on the specified date.

His leadership and background in the competitive gaming space is vast, having devoted the last 15 years producing and overseeing some of the most popular titles in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and lately, the battle royale hit.

I invite you all in greeting him in the coming days. We are all excited to persist observing the progress of the game in the time to come.

David

Background of the New Head

The appointee currently holds the position of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Information and Vision

Project Ethos was unveiled in October 2024 together with a public demo. Then, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative advancement on the style."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the game's pitch explains. "Take on the competition with fresh skills, risks, and challenges that change every round. Will you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively take a risk, put it on the line, and hope your team can secure victory? The decision is up to you."

The game lacks an confirmed release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can anticipate more updates as development advances.