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The renowned publisher has welcomed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the anticipated third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Management Shift Comes After Mixed Reception

The new appointee assumes the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming early showing last fall.

Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified employees about this decision through an internal memo, which emphasized that playtesting had revealed the necessity for a clearer game identity.

The president stated that the team is now reimagining the project with a renewed focus, aiming to better meet player expectations.

Trend of Strategic Recruitment

The news echoes a similar step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from the Diablo team to assist with the beloved franchise development group.

Here is the entire text from Ismailer's announcement:

Team—

I know you all just wrapped up your town hall - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a update, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and creative developers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that partnership to continue.”

With your dedication and flexibility, particularly over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s the game testing phase was informative. It affirmed the promise of a action-packed game but made clear we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the requirement for a sharper brand.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the criticism to heart and revamped the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s poised to deliver on its ambition to our players.

The trust in Project ETHOS increases every day. To boost the remarkable progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of the team. After some time of discussions, he starts with us on the specified date.

His guidance and experience in the PVP shooter genre is vast, having devoted the recent years producing and leading some of the most popular titles in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in welcoming Ben next week. We are all eager to persist observing the development of the game in the weeks to come.

David

Background of the Incoming Head

Brinkman currently serves in the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman previously worked at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, prior to that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Details and Vision

Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. Then, the developers described the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative step forward on the style."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to match your preferred approach," the official summary reads. "Take on the competition with new abilities, stakes, and challenges that evolve every match. Do you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Alternatively take a risk, risk it all, and trust your group can secure victory? The choice is in your hands."

Project Ethos has not yet received an confirmed launch window or platforms, but players can anticipate more updates as creation advances.