The renowned publisher has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the development team at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Management Shift Comes After Mixed Feedback
The new appointee takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster unveiling last fall.
Recently, the company's top executive a key figure notified employees about this decision through an official communication, which highlighted that playtesting had indicated the need for a clearer direction.
Ismailer noted that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a refreshed focus, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.
A Pattern of Key Hires
The news follows a comparable step taken by the publisher in August, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the full message from Ismailer's memo:
Dear Team—
I understand you all just completed your meeting - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the positive developments. Previously I sent you all a message, I stated the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most driven and innovative developers we have had the opportunity to partner with - and we’re excited for that collaboration to continue.”
Through your commitment and versatility, especially over the past twelve months, you consistently demonstrate that.
The gamer responses from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It affirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but indicated we still had improvements to make. It uncovered the necessity for a clearer vision.
The progress is encouraging to see how far you’ve come. You took the feedback to heart and revamped Project ETHOS with a refreshed goal - one that’s ready to deliver on its ambition to our audience.
The trust in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the incredible development you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce Ben Brinkman as the new Studio Head of 31st Union. After several months of conversations, he starts with us on next week.
His guidance and experience in the competitive gaming space is vast, having dedicated the last 15 years developing and overseeing some of the most recognizable franchises in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and lately, the battle royale hit.
Please join me in welcoming Ben soon. We are all eager to keep observing the progress of Project ETHOS in the time to ahead.
The President
Experience of the Incoming Leader
The appointee currently serves in the role of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had periods at other industry leaders.
Title Details and Concept
The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 alongside a public demo. At the time, the developers described the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling advancement 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 game's pitch explains. "Challenge the opponents with new abilities, stakes, and tests that evolve every session. Will you withdraw carefully with your collected items? Or take a risk, gamble everything, and hope your team can achieve the highest spot? The decision is in your hands."
Project Ethos lacks an official launch window or platforms, but fans can look forward to additional details as creation progresses.