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The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Management Change Follows Poor Feedback

The new appointee steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of former leader the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster early showing last autumn.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had indicated the necessity for a more defined direction.

The president noted that the developers is now reimagining the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to satisfy community desires.

A Pattern of Strategic Recruitment

The news follows a similar move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired an industry veteran from the Diablo team to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the full content from Ismailer's announcement:

Team—

I understand you all just wrapped up your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a note, I expressed the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and talented creators we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re eager for that partnership to persist.”

Given your hard work and flexibility, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS demo was informative. It affirmed the appeal of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the necessity for a more distinct brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the feedback to mind and overhauled Project ETHOS with a renewed goal - one that’s poised to deliver on its potential to our players.

Our confidence in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the incredible advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome Ben Brinkman as the incoming Director of the team. After a period of discussions, Ben comes aboard us on next week.

Ben’s guidance and expertise in the PVP shooter field is considerable, having spent the past decade and a half developing and managing some of the most well-known franchises in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in greeting Ben soon. We are all excited to continue observing the progress of the game in the time to ahead.

The President

Experience of the Incoming Head

Brinkman presently holds the role of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman previously was employed at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Details and Concept

The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 alongside a early access event. Then, 31st Union described the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an thrilling evolution on the category."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary reads. "Challenge the rivals with unique powers, stakes, and challenges that shift every match. Do you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Or aim high, risk it all, and pray your team can secure victory? The choice is yours."

Project Ethos has not yet received an confirmed launch window or supported systems, but fans can anticipate further news as development progresses.