The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the forthcoming third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.
Management Change Comes After Lukewarm Response
The new appointee takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' lackluster unveiling last fall.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified employees about this strategic move through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had revealed the need for a distinct game identity.
The president stated that the developers is now reimagining Project Ethos with a refreshed approach, aiming to satisfy community desires.
Trend of Key Acquisitions
The news follows a comparable move taken by the publisher in August, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to contribute to the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the entire message from the president's communication:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just completed your gathering - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a message, I stated the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most driven and talented designers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re eager for that partnership to continue.”
With your dedication and adaptability, particularly over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The community feedback from last autumn’s Project ETHOS playtest was revealing. It validated the appeal of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had refinements needed. It revealed the need for a clearer vision.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You embraced the feedback to consideration and reimagined Project ETHOS with a renewed vision - one that’s positioned to fulfill its ambition to our fans.
Our confidence in this project grows every day. To boost the outstanding advancement you’ve made, I’m excited to announce the new hire as the new Lead of 31st Union. After some time of discussions, Ben officially joins us on the specified date.
Ben’s leadership and experience in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having spent the last 15 years producing and overseeing some of the most recognizable series in gaming, for example the acclaimed shooter, and lately, Apex Legends.
Let’s together in greeting Ben in the coming days. We are all looking forward to keep observing the development of Project ETHOS in the time to come.
David
Experience of the New Leader
The appointee currently holds the position of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously worked at major gaming companies in various production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, before that, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Game Information and Concept
Project Ethos was revealed in last year together with a community playtest. Initially, the developers presented the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an innovative advancement on the category."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the official summary states. "Take on the rivals with new abilities, stakes, and challenges that evolve every session. Do you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Or go big, risk it all, and pray your squad can secure victory? The decision is up to you."
Project Ethos has not yet received an announced launch window or supported systems, but fans can look forward to additional details as production progresses.
