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The renowned publisher has secured a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently working on the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as this innovative game.

Management Change Follows Lukewarm Feedback

The new appointee assumes the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of previous head Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' disappointing early showing last fall.

On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer updated staff about this decision through an official communication, which stressed that early feedback sessions had indicated the need for a clearer vision.

Ismailer stated that the team is now reimagining the project with a revised vision, aiming to address player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Hires

The news mirrors a comparable action taken by the publisher in August, when they brought on an industry veteran from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the full content from Ismailer's announcement:

Hello Everyone—

I know you all just completed your town hall - I trust you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a note, I stated the following: “I am confident in this group. You all are some of the most driven and talented designers we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that partnership to endure.”

With your dedication and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The gamer responses from last autumn’s Project ETHOS playtest was revealing. It affirmed the potential of a action-packed game but told us we still had improvements to make. It revealed the requirement for a sharper vision.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You accepted the criticism to heart and revamped Project ETHOS with a renewed vision - one that’s poised to deliver on its promise to our fans.

The trust in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To advance the remarkable progress you’ve made, It is a pleasure to welcome the new hire as the incoming Studio Head of 31st Union. Following some time of talks, he comes aboard us on the specified date.

Ben’s guidance and experience in the competitive gaming genre is extensive, having devoted the past decade and a half creating and managing some of the most well-known series in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and more recently, Apex Legends.

Please join me in welcoming him next week. We are all excited to continue observing the evolution of the game in the weeks to follow.

The President

Experience of the Incoming Head

The appointee currently serves in the role of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He earlier worked at major gaming companies in various development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had periods at 2K and Electronic Arts.

Game Information and Concept

The upcoming game was unveiled in October 2024 in conjunction with a public demo. Initially, 31st Union portrayed the game as a "no-cost, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an exciting evolution on the style."

"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to suit your personal playstyle," the official summary reads. "Take on the competition with new abilities, risks, and challenges that change every session. Will you safely extract with your collected items? Or take a risk, put it on the line, and hope your squad can secure victory? The choice is in your hands."

Project Ethos does not have an official launch window or supported systems, but enthusiasts can anticipate more updates as production progresses.