The renowned publisher has welcomed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Leadership Change Follows Lukewarm Reception
Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster early showing last autumn.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure updated employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had indicated the need for a distinct game identity.
The president noted that the team is now overhauling the project with a revised vision, aiming to better meet community desires.
Trend of Strategic Hires
The news mirrors a similar step taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.
Below is the entire message from the president's announcement:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just wrapped up your meeting - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and creative creators we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re eager for that partnership to continue.”
Through your commitment and flexibility, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.
The player input from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was enlightening. It affirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had improvements to make. It revealed the necessity for a clearer identity.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the feedback to mind and reimagined the title with a refreshed goal - one that’s poised to fulfill its ambition to our audience.
The belief in this project grows every day. To further the incredible advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome Ben Brinkman as the incoming Studio Head of the team. After some time of discussions, he comes aboard us on next week.
His management and background in the PVP shooter space is extensive, having spent the last 15 years creating and leading some of the most well-known titles in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.
Let’s together in welcoming him next week. We are all excited to keep observing the development of the game in the months to follow.
The President
Experience of the Incoming Head
Brinkman currently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He previously worked at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, before that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Information and Concept
The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a early access event. At the time, 31st Union presented the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling evolution 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 fit your unique tactics," the official summary reads. "Face the rivals with new abilities, stakes, and obstacles that change every round. Will you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Alternatively go big, gamble everything, and trust your squad can achieve the highest spot? The choice is up to you."
Project Ethos has not yet received an official debut schedule or platforms, but fans can anticipate more updates as creation continues.
