The renowned publisher has welcomed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Shift Follows Lukewarm Reception
The new appointee takes on the leadership position at 31st Union following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' underwhelming initial reveal last autumn.
Recently, the company's top executive a key figure notified staff about this decision through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had revealed the need for a clearer vision.
Ismailer stated that the team is now refining the project with a renewed vision, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.
Trend of Key Hires
This announcement mirrors a comparable move taken by 2K Games in August, when they brought on an industry veteran from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.
Below is the complete content from the president's memo:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just completed your gathering - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the positive developments. Previously I sent you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and talented developers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to continue.”
Through your commitment and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.
The player input from last fall’s the game playtest was enlightening. It validated the promise of a action-packed game but made clear we still had improvements to make. It revealed the need for a clearer brand.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the criticism to mind and revamped Project ETHOS with a refreshed goal - one that’s poised to deliver on its potential to our players.
The belief in this project increases every day. To further the incredible advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce Ben Brinkman as the latest Lead of 31st Union. Following several months of discussions, Ben comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s leadership and background in the PVP shooter genre is vast, having devoted the last 15 years developing and overseeing some of the most recognizable franchises in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.
Let’s together in receiving him in the coming days. We are all excited to persist seeing the evolution of the game in the weeks to ahead.
The President
Experience of the Incoming Head
The appointee currently serves in the role of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.
Title Details and Vision
Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a early access event. Initially, the developers described the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting evolution on the style."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the description reads. "Challenge the rivals with fresh skills, stakes, and obstacles that change every match. Do you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Or aim high, gamble everything, and pray your squad can earn top ranking? The option is in your hands."
Project Ethos does not have an confirmed release date or supported systems, but fans can look forward to more updates as creation advances.
