The renowned publisher has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently developing the upcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Shift Follows Poor Reception
Brinkman takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's disappointing early showing last fall.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer updated staff about this decision through an official communication, which emphasized that playtesting had indicated the requirement for a more defined game identity.
The president expressed that the developers is now overhauling Project Ethos with a renewed vision, aiming to better meet gamer demands.
A Pattern of Key Acquisitions
This announcement mirrors a comparable action taken by 2K Games in August, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the entire text from Ismailer's communication:
Dear Team—
I know you all just wrapped up your town hall - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented developers we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that collaboration to persist.”
Given your hard work and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The community feedback from last autumn’s the game demo was informative. It validated the appeal of a action-packed game but told us we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the necessity for a clearer brand.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the input to heart and overhauled the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s poised to fulfill its potential to our audience.
The trust in this project grows every day. To advance the outstanding development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of the team. Following a period of discussions, Ben starts with us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s leadership and experience in the competitive gaming space is vast, having devoted the last 15 years creating and managing some of the most well-known series in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, Apex Legends.
Let’s together in receiving Ben next week. We are all looking forward to keep witnessing the development of Project ETHOS in the months to follow.
David
Experience of the New Leader
The appointee currently holds the role of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman previously worked at major gaming companies in various development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Details and Vision
Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a early access event. At the time, 31st Union presented the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling advancement on the style."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the official summary explains. "Face the competition with fresh skills, risks, and tests that shift every session. Do you leave securely with your collected items? Or aim high, risk it all, and trust your squad can secure victory? The choice is yours."
Project Ethos does not have an announced launch window or consoles, but enthusiasts can expect further news as creation advances.
