The renowned publisher has secured a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Transition Follows Poor Response
Brinkman takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's underwhelming initial reveal last autumn.
Recently, the company's top executive a key figure informed staff about this organizational change through an internal memo, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had shown the requirement for a clearer game identity.
The president stated that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a revised focus, aiming to better meet gamer demands.
Trend of Strategic Recruitment
The news mirrors a similar step taken by 2K Games in August, when they brought on an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the BioShock development group.
Here is the entire text from Ismailer's announcement:
Dear Team—
I understand you all just finished your gathering - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a message, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and creative creators we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to endure.”
Through your commitment and versatility, particularly over the last year, you continue to prove that.
The player input from last fall’s the game playtest was revealing. It affirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but told us we still had work to do. It highlighted the requirement for a more distinct identity.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the feedback to consideration and overhauled Project ETHOS with a refreshed vision - one that’s poised to deliver on its ambition to our fans.
The trust in this project strengthens every day. To advance the incredible advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to announce the new hire as the new Lead of 31st Union. After several months of discussions, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s guidance and background in the PVP shooter space is extensive, having dedicated the recent years producing and overseeing some of the most popular franchises in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and lately, Apex Legends.
I invite you all in greeting him next week. We are all looking forward to continue witnessing the progress of Project ETHOS in the months to ahead.
The President
Experience of the New Head
The appointee presently holds the role of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier worked at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Details and Vision
Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. Then, 31st Union described the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an innovative advancement on the style."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in real-time to match your preferred approach," the official summary states. "Face the competition with unique powers, risks, and tests that change every session. Will you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Alternatively aim high, risk it all, and trust your team can secure victory? The choice is yours."
The game does not have an announced launch window or consoles, but fans can look forward to more updates as production continues.
