The renowned publisher has appointed a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently crafting the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.
Leadership Change Comes After Poor Response
The new appointee takes on the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's disappointing unveiling last fall.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer updated staff about this organizational change through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had indicated the need for a more defined direction.
The president noted that the developers is now overhauling the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to better meet player expectations.
Trend of Key Recruitment
The news echoes a comparable move taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to contribute to the BioShock development group.
Below is the complete text from Ismailer's communication:
Team—
I understand you all just finished your meeting - I hope you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a note, I mentioned 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 excited for that relationship to endure.”
With your dedication and flexibility, particularly over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.
The community feedback from last autumn’s Project ETHOS demo was enlightening. It affirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but told us we still had work to do. It uncovered the need for a clearer identity.
It has been motivating to see how far you’ve progressed. You accepted the input to heart and reimagined Project ETHOS with a refreshed goal - one that’s poised to fulfill its ambition to our fans.
The trust in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To advance the remarkable advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to announce the new hire as the incoming Studio Head of 31st Union. Following a period of talks, Ben comes aboard us on Monday, October 20.
His guidance and background in the competitive gaming space is considerable, having dedicated the recent years creating and managing some of the most recognizable titles in gaming, including the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, Apex Legends.
Let’s together in greeting Ben soon. We are all eager to keep observing the progress of Project ETHOS in the weeks to ahead.
The President
Background of the New Head
The appointee presently serves in the position of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He earlier worked at Treyarch and Activision in multiple development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, earlier in his career, had assignments at other industry leaders.
Game Information and Vision
The upcoming game was revealed in October 2024 together with a community playtest. At the time, 31st Union described the title as a "no-cost, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling evolution on the style."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the official summary states. "Challenge the competition with unique powers, stakes, and obstacles that shift every round. Will you safely extract with your collected items? Or aim high, gamble everything, and trust your squad can earn top ranking? The option is up to you."
The game lacks an confirmed debut schedule or platforms, but enthusiasts can look forward to additional details as production progresses.
