The Gaming Giant Recruits Apex Legends Developer to Boost Troubled Action Game Project Ethos

The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently developing the upcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Follows Lukewarm Feedback

Brinkman takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster initial reveal last fall.

Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer informed team members about this decision through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had indicated the requirement for a clearer vision.

The president noted that the team is now overhauling the project with a renewed approach, aiming to better meet gamer demands.

A Pattern of Key Recruitment

This announcement follows a similar action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Here is the full message from the president's memo:

Dear Team—

I know you all just wrapped up your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Previously I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented developers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re looking forward for that relationship to endure.”

Through your commitment and adaptability, especially over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.

The community feedback from last autumn’s Project ETHOS demo was informative. It affirmed the potential of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had work to do. It revealed the need for a sharper brand.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the input to consideration and reimagined the title with a renewed direction - one that’s ready to fulfill its potential to our fans.

The belief in this project increases every day. To boost the incredible development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce the new hire as the new Director of the team. After a period of discussions, he comes aboard us on next week.

Ben’s management and experience in the PVP shooter field is considerable, having spent the last 15 years developing and leading some of the most well-known titles in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.

Let’s together in greeting Ben in the coming days. We are all looking forward to keep witnessing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the months to come.

The President

Background of the New Head

Brinkman currently serves in the role of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, prior to that, had periods at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Concept

Project Ethos was unveiled in last year in conjunction with a public demo. Initially, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling advancement on the genre."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to fit your unique tactics," the official summary states. "Face the rivals with fresh skills, challenges, and obstacles that change every session. Do you safely extract with your hard-earned loot? Or go big, gamble everything, and pray your group can earn top ranking? The choice is in your hands."

Project Ethos lacks an official release date or supported systems, but fans can look forward to additional details as creation advances.