The renowned publisher has secured a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Management Change Follows Lukewarm Reception
Brinkman takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the exit of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster unveiling last autumn.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure notified employees about this organizational change through an official communication, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had shown the need for a clearer game identity.
The president noted that the developers is now reimagining the project with a renewed vision, aiming to satisfy community desires.
A Pattern of Key Hires
This announcement mirrors a comparable move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the full content from Ismailer's memo:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just finished your gathering - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a message, I expressed the following: “I believe in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented designers we have had the pleasure to partner with - and we’re excited for that relationship to persist.”
With your dedication and versatility, especially over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.
The gamer responses from last fall’s the game testing phase was revealing. It confirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but told us we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the need for a more distinct vision.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the feedback to consideration and revamped Project ETHOS with a refreshed goal - one that’s positioned to deliver on its ambition to our players.
Our confidence in this project strengthens every day. To boost the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome Ben Brinkman as the new Lead of 31st Union. After some time of discussions, he comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.
His management and expertise in the competitive gaming space is considerable, having devoted the last 15 years creating and leading some of the most popular series in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.
Let’s together in greeting Ben in the coming days. We are all excited to keep observing the evolution of the game in the months to come.
David
Background of the New Head
The appointee currently serves in the role of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He earlier worked at major gaming companies in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Details and Concept
The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 alongside a early access event. At the time, 31st Union described the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting step forward on the style."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary reads. "Challenge the competition with unique powers, stakes, and obstacles that evolve every session. Do you leave securely with your collected items? Or take a risk, risk it all, and pray your group can secure victory? The choice is yours."
The game has not yet received an announced release date or consoles, but fans can anticipate further news as creation progresses.
