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 developing the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.
Management Change Comes After Mixed Reception
Brinkman steps into the role of studio head at the development studio following the exit of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's disappointing unveiling last autumn.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer informed team members about this strategic move through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had indicated the requirement for a clearer direction.
The president expressed that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to better meet gamer demands.
A Pattern of Strategic Hires
This announcement follows a comparable move taken by 2K Games in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the BioShock development group.
Below is the entire text from the president's communication:
Hello Everyone—
I know you all just finished your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Previously I sent you all a message, I expressed the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative developers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to persist.”
Given your hard work and flexibility, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The community feedback from last autumn’s the game playtest was revealing. It validated the promise of a action-packed game but made clear we still had refinements needed. It revealed the necessity for a more distinct identity.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the criticism to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a revitalized vision - one that’s poised to deliver on its ambition to our fans.
The trust in this project strengthens every day. To boost the incredible advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome Ben Brinkman as the new Director of the team. After some time of discussions, Ben starts with us on the specified date.
Ben’s leadership and background in the competitive gaming space is vast, having dedicated the recent years producing and managing some of the most recognizable franchises in gaming, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, the battle royale hit.
Please join me in greeting him next week. We are all excited to persist observing the development of the game in the weeks to follow.
The President
Experience of the New Leader
Brinkman currently holds the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Information and Vision
The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a early access event. Then, the developers described the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative 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 suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch reads. "Face the competition with fresh skills, stakes, and tests that evolve every round. Do you safely extract with your collected items? Or aim high, risk it all, and trust your team can secure victory? The decision is in your hands."
Project Ethos does not have an confirmed debut schedule or supported systems, but players can expect additional details as development continues.
