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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 anticipated over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Shift Follows Lukewarm Reception

The new appointee assumes 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' lackluster unveiling last fall.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive a key figure informed team members about this strategic move through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had shown the necessity for a more defined vision.

Ismailer stated that the developers is now refining Project Ethos with a refreshed vision, aiming to better meet gamer demands.

Trend of Strategic Hires

This announcement echoes a comparable move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to work on the BioShock development group.

Here is the complete text from Ismailer's announcement:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just finished your town hall - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Last time I sent you all a note, I expressed the following: “I believe in this group. You all are some of the most motivated and talented developers we have had the opportunity to work with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to continue.”

Through your commitment and adaptability, particularly over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The player input from last fall’s the game testing phase was informative. It validated the promise of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had refinements needed. It highlighted the requirement for a more distinct brand.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You took the input to mind and reimagined the title with a revitalized vision - one that’s ready to deliver on its promise to our audience.

The trust in this project grows every day. To advance the incredible development you’ve made, I’m excited to announce the new hire as the incoming Lead of the team. Following a period of conversations, Ben officially joins us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s management and expertise in the PVP shooter field is considerable, having devoted the past decade and a half creating and managing some of the most recognizable franchises in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in receiving him in the coming days. We are all looking forward to keep witnessing the progress of Project ETHOS in the weeks to come.

David

Background of the Incoming Head

The appointee presently holds the position of executive producer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the iconic franchise series, and, prior to that, had assignments at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Title Information and Concept

The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 together with a community playtest. Initially, 31st Union described the game as a "no-cost, 3rd-person roguelike hero shooter and an exciting evolution on the style."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the official summary explains. "Challenge the competition with unique powers, challenges, and challenges that change every match. Do you withdraw carefully with your hard-earned loot? Alternatively take a risk, gamble everything, and trust your group can earn top ranking? The choice is yours."

The game does not have an official debut schedule or consoles, but enthusiasts can expect further news as development continues.