Home News Project ETHOS: 2K Games' Revolutionary Hero Shooter

Project ETHOS: 2K Games' Revolutionary Hero Shooter

by Victoria Feb 10,2025

Project ETHOS: A Novel Take on Hero Shooters

Dive into Project ETHOS, the innovative free-to-play roguelike hero shooter from 2K and 31st Union! Currently available for playtesting, this exciting title blends roguelike progression with fast-paced, third-person hero shooter mechanics. Read on to discover how to participate.

Project ETHOS Playtest: October 17th - 21st

A Fresh Perspective on the Hero Shooter Genre

2K Games and 31st Union present Project ETHOS, a free-to-play experience aiming to redefine the hero shooter landscape. The game expertly merges the dynamic adaptation of roguelikes with the unique abilities of distinct hero characters. Each match features randomized "Evolutions," dramatically altering hero capabilities and demanding strategic flexibility. Transform your sniper into a close-quarters combatant or empower your support character to solo dominance – the possibilities are endless.

What distinguishes Project ETHOS? It's the exhilarating blend of constant adaptation and unique hero mechanics. Gameplay footage and player feedback showcase the thrilling roguelike element, where every match presents a new challenge.

Project ETHOS Gameplay

Project ETHOS features two core modes:

  • Trials: This signature mode challenges teams of three against a mix of AI and human opponents. Collect Cores, strategically choose your extraction point, and invest them in unlocking new abilities and progression. Death means losing your Cores, adding a high-stakes element to resource management. Join ongoing matches, but be aware of the match duration before joining.

  • Gauntlet: A classic competitive PvP tournament mode. Battle through brackets, upgrading your hero with each victory, culminating in a final showdown. Elimination means waiting for the next round.

Level up by collecting XP shards, eliminating enemies, and completing random events across the map.

Project ETHOS: Trials Mode

Participate in the Project ETHOS Playtest!

Project ETHOS embraces community feedback, regularly updating content based on player input. The community playtest, running October 17th-21st, offers access via participating Twitch streams (30 minutes of viewing earns a key). Alternatively, register on the official website for future playtest opportunities.

Current Playtest Region: United States, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. Global release plans are yet to be announced.

Server Maintenance Schedule:

North America:

  • October 17th: 10 AM – 11 PM PT
  • October 18th-20th: 11 AM – 11 PM PT

Europe:

  • October 17th: 6 PM - 1 AM GMT+1
  • October 18th-21st: 1 PM - 1 AM GMT+1

31st Union's Debut Title

Project ETHOS marks 31st Union's first major release, led by Michael Condrey (Sledgehammer Games, Call of Duty). His expertise is evident in the game's design.

While a release date remains unannounced, 2K and 31st Union's unique marketing strategy (Twitch and Discord) will be key to their success in a crowded market.