🔗 Share this article

The renowned publisher has welcomed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the development team at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the forthcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Management Transition Comes After Poor Feedback

The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's disappointing unveiling last autumn.

Recently, the company's top executive a key figure notified team members about this strategic move through an official communication, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had indicated the requirement for a clearer vision.

Ismailer stated that the team is now overhauling Project Ethos with a revised vision, aiming to satisfy community desires.

Trend of Key Acquisitions

The news echoes a similar step taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they recruited an industry veteran from the Diablo team to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

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

Dear Team—

I understand you all just completed your gathering - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a note, I mentioned the following: “I am confident in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented creators we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to persist.”

Through your commitment and versatility, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It validated the potential of a action-packed game but made clear we still had refinements needed. It revealed the requirement for a more distinct brand.

It has been motivating to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the feedback to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a refreshed direction - one that’s poised to fulfill its potential to our audience.

Our confidence in this project strengthens every day. To advance the outstanding development you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce the new hire as the incoming Director of the team. After some time of conversations, he officially joins us on Monday, October 20.

His management and expertise in the PVP shooter field is vast, having dedicated the recent years developing and managing some of the most recognizable franchises in the industry, for example the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

Let’s together in greeting him in the coming days. We are all excited to keep observing the development of Project ETHOS in the months to ahead.

David

Background of the New Leader

Brinkman presently serves in the role of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in diverse production roles on the Call of Duty series, and, before that, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Vision

The upcoming game was announced in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. At the time, 31st Union described the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting advancement on the style."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the official summary states. "Face the opponents with fresh skills, challenges, and obstacles that shift every round. Will you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Alternatively go big, gamble everything, and hope your group can earn top ranking? The decision is up to you."

Project Ethos has not yet received an confirmed launch window or consoles, but fans can anticipate additional details as production advances.