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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 anticipated third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Change Follows Poor Response

The new appointee steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' underwhelming early showing last fall.

Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified staff about this organizational change through an official communication, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had indicated the need for a more defined game identity.

The president expressed that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a revised vision, aiming to address community desires.

Trend of Key Recruitment

This announcement follows a comparable action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the entire message from Ismailer's announcement:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just finished your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Previously I sent you all a message, I expressed the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most driven and innovative designers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re looking forward for that relationship to continue.”

Through your commitment and versatility, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS demo was enlightening. It affirmed the promise of a action-packed game but indicated we still had work to do. It highlighted the necessity for a clearer vision.

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

The trust in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of the team. After a period of discussions, he officially joins us on Monday, October 20.

His leadership and expertise in the PVP shooter field is extensive, having spent the last 15 years creating and overseeing some of the most well-known series in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.

Let’s together in receiving Ben next week. We are all looking forward to continue observing the evolution of the game in the months to come.

David

Background of the New Head

The appointee presently holds the role of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier was employed at major gaming companies in various production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had stints at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Concept

The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 together with a early access event. At the time, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting advancement on the style."

"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 explains. "Challenge the rivals with new abilities, challenges, and obstacles that evolve every session. Will you leave securely with your collected items? Alternatively go big, risk it all, and pray your squad can earn top ranking? The option is in your hands."

The game has not yet received an official launch window or platforms, but enthusiasts can look forward to additional details as development advances.