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The renowned publisher has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the upcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Leadership Change Follows Lukewarm Feedback

Brinkman takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's lackluster unveiling last fall.

Recently, the company's top executive a key figure informed team members about this decision through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had revealed the requirement for a more defined direction.

The president expressed that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a refreshed focus, aiming to address community desires.

A Pattern of Key Acquisitions

This announcement follows a similar move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the complete text from the president's announcement:

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just wrapped up your meeting - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a note, I stated the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative creators we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re excited for that relationship to endure.”

Given your hard work and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.

The community feedback from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was informative. It confirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the requirement for a sharper vision.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You embraced the input to heart and reimagined the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s positioned to achieve its promise to our players.

Our confidence in Project ETHOS increases every day. To further the remarkable progress you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome Ben Brinkman as the latest Director of 31st Union. After several months of discussions, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.

His management and experience in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having dedicated the past decade and a half producing and overseeing some of the most well-known franchises in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.

Please join me in receiving him soon. We are all looking forward to persist witnessing the evolution of the game in the weeks to ahead.

The President

Background of the Incoming Leader

The appointee currently serves in the position of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Concept

The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. At the time, the developers portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative evolution on the genre."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the game's pitch states. "Take on the opponents with fresh skills, challenges, and obstacles that shift every match. Do you leave securely with your collected items? Or take a risk, put it on the line, and hope your group can secure victory? The decision is in your hands."

The game has not yet received an official debut schedule or consoles, but enthusiasts can anticipate more updates as creation advances.