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The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Leadership Transition Follows Lukewarm Reception

The new appointee takes on the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing initial reveal last fall.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure informed employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had revealed the need for a distinct game identity.

The president noted that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a renewed approach, aiming to better meet community desires.

A Pattern of Strategic Acquisitions

The news mirrors a comparable action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the entire content from the president's announcement:

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just completed your meeting - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Last time I shared you all a update, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative creators we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to endure.”

Given your hard work and versatility, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The player input from last autumn’s the game playtest was informative. It affirmed the promise of a action-packed game but made clear we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the need for a clearer identity.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the input to mind and revamped the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s ready to fulfill its promise to our fans.

Our confidence in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To further the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to introduce the new hire as the latest Lead of the team. Following a period of discussions, he officially joins us on the specified date.

Ben’s management and background in the competitive gaming space is extensive, having dedicated the last 15 years developing and overseeing some of the most popular series in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.

Let’s together in receiving Ben in the coming days. We are all eager to continue witnessing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the time to ahead.

The President

Background of the Incoming Head

The appointee currently holds the position of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He earlier was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Details and Vision

The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 in conjunction with a early access event. At the time, the developers portrayed the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting advancement on the category."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the official summary explains. "Take on the competition with fresh skills, risks, and challenges that evolve every match. Will you safely extract with your collected items? Or aim high, gamble everything, and trust your group can secure victory? The option is in your hands."

The game does not have an official release date or consoles, but enthusiasts can anticipate additional details as development continues.