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The renowned publisher has secured Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Management Transition Comes After Mixed Feedback

Brinkman steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' disappointing early showing last autumn.

Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer updated employees about this organizational change through an official communication, which stressed that playtesting had indicated the need for a distinct game identity.

The president noted that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to better meet community desires.

Trend of Strategic Recruitment

This announcement mirrors a similar action taken by 2K Games in August, when they brought on an industry veteran from the Diablo team to contribute to the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the complete content from the president's announcement:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just finished your gathering - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a message, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most driven and innovative designers we have had the pleasure to work with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to endure.”

With your dedication and versatility, especially over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.

The community feedback from last autumn’s the game demo was enlightening. It validated the potential of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had work to do. It uncovered the need for a more distinct brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the feedback to mind and revamped Project ETHOS with a revitalized goal - one that’s ready to achieve its potential to our audience.

The trust in Project ETHOS increases every day. To advance the outstanding development you’ve made, I’m excited to introduce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Director of the team. Following several months of talks, Ben officially joins us on next week.

His management and experience in the PVP shooter space is vast, having dedicated the past decade and a half creating and leading some of the most popular titles in gaming, for example 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 observing the progress of Project ETHOS in the months to follow.

David

Experience of the New Head

The appointee presently serves in the role of executive producer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Title Details and Vision

Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 together with a community playtest. Then, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an innovative evolution on the category."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to match your preferred approach," the game's pitch states. "Challenge the competition with unique powers, risks, and tests that evolve every round. Do you leave securely with your collected items? Alternatively aim high, risk it all, and pray your team can achieve the highest spot? The decision is in your hands."

Project Ethos has not yet received an announced launch window or platforms, but fans can expect further news as development advances.