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The renowned publisher has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at their internal studio, which is currently working on the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Leadership Shift Follows Lukewarm Reception

Brinkman takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to the game's underwhelming initial reveal last autumn.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure updated staff about this decision through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had indicated the requirement for a more defined direction.

The president expressed that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a renewed vision, aiming to better meet gamer demands.

A Pattern of Strategic Hires

This announcement follows a comparable move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they recruited Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise development group.

Here is the complete message from Ismailer's announcement:

Team—

I understand you all just finished your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Last time I shared you all a message, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and talented developers we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that relationship to persist.”

With your dedication and flexibility, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The community feedback from last autumn’s the game playtest was informative. It affirmed the potential of a action-packed game but indicated we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the need for a clearer vision.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the feedback to consideration and revamped Project ETHOS with a refreshed vision - one that’s poised to achieve its potential to our fans.

The belief in Project ETHOS grows every day. To advance the incredible progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce Ben Brinkman as the new Director of the team. After a period of conversations, he comes aboard us on next week.

His management and experience in the competitive gaming space is vast, having dedicated the recent years developing and managing some of the most popular titles in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in welcoming him in the coming days. We are all excited to keep seeing the evolution of the game in the months to follow.

The President

Background of the Incoming Leader

Brinkman presently holds the role of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in various development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Concept

The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a early access event. Then, the developers described the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting step forward on the genre."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary reads. "Challenge the competition with fresh skills, challenges, and challenges that change every match. Will you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Alternatively go big, risk it all, and trust your group can secure victory? The decision is up to you."

Project Ethos does not have an official debut schedule or platforms, but enthusiasts can look forward to more updates as creation continues.