🔗 Share this article

The renowned publisher has welcomed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Change Comes After Poor Reception

The new appointee steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster unveiling last autumn.

Recently, the company's top executive a key figure notified team members about this decision through an official communication, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had revealed the need for a more defined vision.

The president expressed that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a renewed vision, aiming to better meet community desires.

A Pattern of Key Acquisitions

This announcement follows a similar move taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the full content from the president's announcement:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just completed your gathering - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a message, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and talented designers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re excited for that relationship to continue.”

With your dedication and adaptability, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was enlightening. It confirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had work to do. It uncovered the requirement for a more distinct brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the feedback to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a refreshed direction - one that’s positioned to deliver on its promise to our fans.

Our confidence in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To advance the outstanding development you’ve made, I’m excited to announce Ben Brinkman as the latest Director of 31st Union. Following several months of talks, Ben comes aboard us on next week.

Ben’s leadership and expertise in the competitive gaming field is considerable, having devoted the last 15 years creating and overseeing some of the most well-known series in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.

Please join me in greeting Ben next week. We are all excited to keep seeing the progress of the game in the weeks to follow.

The President

Background of the New Head

Brinkman presently serves in the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously was employed at major gaming companies in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had periods at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Vision

Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 alongside a early access event. Then, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting 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 description explains. "Take on the opponents with new abilities, stakes, and obstacles that change every match. Do you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Or aim high, put it on the line, and hope your team can earn top ranking? The choice is yours."

Project Ethos has not yet received an announced release date or consoles, but players can anticipate further news as development continues.