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The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to lead the development team at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the forthcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Follows Mixed Response

Brinkman takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster early showing last autumn.

Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer informed employees about this decision through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had indicated the need for a distinct game identity.

Ismailer stated that the team is now refining the project with a revised vision, aiming to address community desires.

A Pattern of Key Recruitment

This announcement follows a comparable step taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the entire content from Ismailer's memo:

Dear Team—

I know you all just wrapped up your gathering - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a message, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and innovative creators we have had the chance to work with - and we’re excited for that partnership to persist.”

Given your hard work and adaptability, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The gamer responses 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 need for a clearer brand.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the input to heart and reimagined the title with a refreshed goal - one that’s positioned to deliver on its potential to our audience.

The trust in this project strengthens every day. To boost the remarkable progress you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce Ben Brinkman as the new Studio Head of the team. After several months of conversations, he starts with us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s management and expertise in the competitive gaming genre is extensive, having dedicated the recent years producing and leading some of the most well-known series in the industry, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in welcoming him next week. We are all eager to continue witnessing the development of the game in the months to come.

David

Experience of the Incoming Head

The appointee presently serves in the role of senior developer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He earlier worked at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, earlier in his career, had stints at other industry leaders.

Game Information and Vision

Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 together with a public demo. Initially, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person 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 suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch explains. "Take on the competition with unique powers, stakes, and obstacles that evolve every session. Will you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Alternatively go big, put it on the line, and trust your group can achieve the highest spot? The choice is up to you."

Project Ethos does not have an official debut schedule or supported systems, but players can look forward to further news as creation advances.