The Gaming Giant Brings Onboard Apex Legends Producer to Rescue Challenged Action Game Ambitious Title

The renowned publisher has welcomed Ben Brinkman from Respawn Entertainment to direct the development team at their internal studio, which is currently working on the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Shift Comes After Poor Feedback

The new appointee steps into the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' underwhelming unveiling last fall.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure updated staff about this organizational change through an internal memo, which emphasized that playtesting had revealed the requirement for a distinct game identity.

Ismailer expressed that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a revised focus, aiming to address player expectations.

Trend of Key Hires

This announcement echoes a comparable move taken by 2K Games in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.

Here is the complete message from the president's announcement:

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just finished your gathering - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most driven and creative developers we have had the chance to partner with - and we’re excited for that partnership to persist.”

With your dedication and versatility, especially over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS demo was informative. It affirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had work to do. It revealed the necessity for a sharper vision.

The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the feedback to heart and revamped Project ETHOS with a renewed vision - one that’s poised to achieve its promise to our audience.

The trust in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To boost the incredible advancement you’ve made, I am thrilled to welcome Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of 31st Union. Following some time of discussions, he officially joins us on the specified date.

His leadership and expertise in the PVP shooter genre is considerable, having devoted the past decade and a half developing and overseeing some of the most well-known series in gaming, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in receiving him soon. We are all excited to persist witnessing the development of Project ETHOS in the time to come.

The President

Experience of the Incoming Head

The appointee currently serves in the position of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He earlier was employed at major gaming companies in multiple development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, before that, had periods at other industry leaders.

Title Information and Vision

Project Ethos was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. Then, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling advancement 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 fit your unique tactics," the official summary explains. "Take on the rivals with fresh skills, challenges, and obstacles that evolve every round. Do you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Or go big, gamble everything, and trust your team can secure victory? The choice is in your hands."

Project Ethos has not yet received an confirmed launch window or platforms, but players can expect more updates as production advances.