The renowned publisher has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to oversee 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 Change Follows Mixed Feedback
Brinkman takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's lackluster early showing last autumn.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified team members about this organizational change through an internal memo, which emphasized that playtesting had indicated the necessity for a more defined game identity.
Ismailer stated that the developers is now refining the project with a refreshed approach, aiming to better meet gamer demands.
A Pattern of Strategic Recruitment
The news follows a comparable move taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the full message from Ismailer's announcement:
Dear Team—
I know you all just wrapped up your town hall - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative developers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re looking forward for that relationship to persist.”
Through your commitment and adaptability, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The player input from last autumn’s the game testing phase was revealing. It affirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the requirement for a clearer identity.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the criticism to consideration and reimagined Project ETHOS with a refreshed direction - one that’s poised to fulfill its ambition to our audience.
The trust in this project grows every day. To advance the outstanding development you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce the new hire as the incoming Director of the team. After several months of conversations, he officially joins us on next week.
His leadership and experience in the competitive gaming space is extensive, having spent the recent years producing and leading some of the most recognizable franchises in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.
I invite you all in receiving him next week. We are all looking forward to keep witnessing the evolution of the game in the months to ahead.
The President
Background of the Incoming Head
Brinkman currently serves in the role of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. He previously worked at major gaming companies in various development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, prior to that, had stints at other industry leaders.
Game Information and Vision
Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. At the time, 31st Union portrayed the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an exciting evolution on the style."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the game's pitch reads. "Face the competition with unique powers, risks, and challenges that change every round. Do you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Alternatively take a risk, gamble everything, and pray your team can achieve the highest spot? The decision is up to you."
Project Ethos lacks an confirmed release date or consoles, but enthusiasts can expect additional details as creation continues.
