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The renowned publisher has secured a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to direct the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the upcoming third-person roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift Comes After Lukewarm Feedback

The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at 31st Union following the exit of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing unveiling last autumn.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure notified team members about this strategic move through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had revealed the necessity for a distinct vision.

The president expressed that the team is now reimagining Project Ethos with a revised focus, aiming to satisfy gamer demands.

Trend of Key Acquisitions

The news follows a comparable move taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they hired an industry veteran from the Diablo team to contribute to the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the full content from the president's communication:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just wrapped up your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a update, I stated the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most dedicated and talented creators we have had the pleasure to work with - and we’re eager for that relationship to endure.”

Given your hard work and versatility, especially over the last year, you continue to prove that.

The player input from last autumn’s the game playtest was informative. It confirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had work to do. It highlighted the requirement for a sharper identity.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the feedback to consideration and revamped Project ETHOS with a renewed goal - one that’s ready to achieve its promise to our players.

The belief in this project grows every day. To advance the incredible advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce the new hire as the new Studio Head of 31st Union. Following a period of talks, he starts with us on the specified date.

Ben’s management and background in the PVP shooter field is considerable, having dedicated the recent years developing and managing some of the most popular titles in the industry, for example Call of Duty: Black Ops, and lately, Apex Legends.

I invite you all in receiving him soon. We are all excited to persist witnessing the evolution of the game in the time to come.

The President

Background of the New Leader

Brinkman currently serves in the position of senior developer and head of production at Respawn Entertainment for Apex Legends. Brinkman previously worked at major gaming companies in diverse development positions on the Call of Duty games, and, earlier in his career, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Information and Vision

The upcoming game was announced in last year alongside a early access event. At the time, the developers described the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an innovative step forward on the style."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in real-time to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary reads. "Face the opponents with new abilities, risks, and challenges that shift every round. Do you leave securely with your hard-earned loot? Or take a risk, put it on the line, and trust your squad can earn top ranking? The decision is in your hands."

The game does not have an official release date or platforms, but players can expect additional details as creation advances.