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The renowned publisher has secured a seasoned producer from Respawn Entertainment to oversee the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently crafting the forthcoming over-the-shoulder action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Management Transition Follows Mixed Reception

The new appointee steps into the role of studio head at 31st Union following the departure of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was removed from his post due to Project Ethos' disappointing unveiling last fall.

Recently, the company's top executive a key figure informed team members about this decision through an internal memo, which emphasized that early feedback sessions had shown the need for a clearer vision.

Ismailer noted that the developers is now reimagining the project with a refreshed focus, aiming to satisfy community desires.

A Pattern of Key Acquisitions

The news follows a comparable step taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on an industry veteran from Blizzard to contribute to the beloved franchise development group.

Below is the complete text from Ismailer's memo:

Dear Team—

I understand you all just finished your town hall - I trust you’re as enthusiastic as I am with the good news. Previously I shared you all a message, I expressed the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most motivated and talented developers we have had the opportunity to collaborate with - and we’re excited for that relationship to continue.”

Through your commitment and versatility, especially over the last year, you repeatedly show that.

The player input from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It affirmed the promise of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had improvements to make. It highlighted the requirement for a clearer vision.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve advanced. You took the input to consideration and reimagined the title with a revitalized vision - one that’s positioned to achieve its potential to our audience.

The belief in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To further the incredible development you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome the new hire as the incoming Studio Head of the team. After a period of conversations, Ben starts with us on the specified date.

His guidance and experience in the PVP shooter genre is considerable, having dedicated the last 15 years producing and managing some of the most recognizable series in gaming, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in greeting him in the coming days. We are all looking forward to persist observing the development of the game in the months to ahead.

The President

Experience of the Incoming Head

The appointee currently serves in the role of senior developer and production lead at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously worked at Treyarch and Activision in various production roles on the Call of Duty games, and, prior to that, had assignments at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Concept

Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 in conjunction with a community playtest. Then, the developers presented the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an innovative step forward on the category."

"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 description explains. "Face the competition with new abilities, risks, and tests that change every round. Do you safely extract with your valuable rewards? Or go big, risk it all, and hope your group can secure victory? The decision is up to you."

Project Ethos lacks an announced release date or platforms, but enthusiasts can expect more updates as development progresses.