The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently developing the upcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as this innovative game.
Leadership Shift Follows Poor Reception
The new appointee assumes the leadership position at 31st Union following the dismissal of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' underwhelming initial reveal last autumn.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure informed staff about this organizational change through an official communication, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had shown the necessity for a clearer vision.
The president expressed that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a refreshed vision, aiming to satisfy player expectations.
A Pattern of Strategic Recruitment
This announcement mirrors a similar move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the BioShock development group.
Here is the complete content from the president's memo:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just wrapped up your gathering - I trust you’re as excited as I am with the positive developments. Last time I sent you all a message, I expressed 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 work with - and we’re eager for that partnership to continue.”
Given your hard work and flexibility, particularly over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.
The player input from last autumn’s Project ETHOS playtest was revealing. It affirmed the promise of a action-packed game but made clear we still had refinements needed. It uncovered the necessity for a sharper identity.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You embraced the input to heart and revamped the title with a renewed goal - one that’s positioned to fulfill its promise to our audience.
The belief in Project ETHOS increases every day. To boost the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to announce Ben Brinkman as the latest Studio Head of the team. Following a period of discussions, Ben starts with us on next week.
Ben’s guidance and experience in the competitive gaming space is considerable, having spent the recent years producing and managing some of the most recognizable series in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.
I invite you all in welcoming Ben next week. We are all eager to persist seeing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to ahead.
David
Background of the New Head
Brinkman presently serves in the role of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. Brinkman earlier was employed at major gaming companies in various development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, earlier in his career, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Details and Concept
Project Ethos was unveiled in last year alongside a early access event. Initially, the developers described the title as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an exciting advancement on the style."
"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Build your hero in real-time to match your preferred approach," the official summary states. "Take on the rivals with new abilities, stakes, and tests that change every match. Do you leave securely with your collected items? Or aim high, risk it all, and pray your group can secure victory? The option is in your hands."
Project Ethos lacks an official debut schedule or platforms, but enthusiasts can look forward to additional details as development advances.
