The renowned publisher has welcomed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Shift Follows Mixed Feedback
Brinkman assumes the leadership position at 31st Union following the exit of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster unveiling last autumn.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer updated staff about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had indicated the need for a more defined vision.
The president stated that the developers is now overhauling the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to satisfy community desires.
Trend of Strategic Acquisitions
The news echoes a comparable move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the complete message from Ismailer's memo:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just completed your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a update, I stated the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and innovative creators we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re excited for that partnership to persist.”
Given your hard work and adaptability, especially over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.
The player input from last fall’s the game playtest was enlightening. It confirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had work to do. It uncovered the necessity for a clearer identity.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the input to consideration and overhauled the title with a revitalized direction - one that’s ready to deliver on its promise to our audience.
The belief in this project grows every day. To further the incredible development you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce Ben Brinkman as the new Director of 31st Union. After a period of talks, Ben starts with us on the specified date.
His guidance and background in the competitive gaming genre is vast, having devoted the last 15 years developing and overseeing some of the most recognizable franchises in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.
Let’s together in greeting him in the coming days. We are all eager to keep observing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the time to follow.
The President
Background of the New Leader
The appointee presently holds the position of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He earlier was employed at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, before that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Information and Concept
The upcoming game was unveiled in last year in conjunction with a public demo. Initially, the developers described the title as a "no-cost, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling step forward on the category."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the game's pitch states. "Take on the opponents with new abilities, risks, and challenges that change every session. Do you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Or take a risk, put it on the line, and hope your group can secure victory? The decision is up to you."
The game has not yet received an confirmed launch window or supported systems, but enthusiasts can expect additional details as production continues.
