After five years since its inception, the 2K studio 31st Union has announced its debut project, a free-to-play, third-person roguelike hero shooter tentatively named Project Ethos. Founded by Michael Condrey, who previously co-founded Sledgehammer Games, the studio was initially branded as 2K Silicon Valley before becoming 31st Union in 2020.
The significant gap between the studio’s formation and the project announcement raises eyebrows, especially considering the global challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected numerous game development timelines.
Project Ethos aims to redefine the hero shooter genre by incorporating roguelike elements. One of the standout features is the introduction of “Evolutions,” which serve as powerful, semi-randomized upgrades for each hero.
This system allows players to modify their characters in real-time, enabling them to tailor their playstyle—transforming a sniper into a close-quarters combatant or a supporting character into a strong solo player. This flexibility promises to enrich the gameplay experience and encourage diverse strategies.
The developers have also emphasized that each match in Project Ethos will present unique scenarios, with varying abilities, challenges, and stakes that keep gameplay fresh. Players will face critical choices, such as deciding whether to safely extract their hard-earned resources or to gamble for greater rewards. This element of risk versus reward is designed to enhance replayability and maintain excitement throughout the game.
The primary gameplay modes include Extraction and Gauntlet. In the Extraction mode, players participate in a continuous battle to collect cores, which are essential for unlocking powerful Augments for future runs. On the other hand, the Gauntlet mode shifts the focus to competitive gameplay, where teams battle to be the last one standing while still allowing for post-match hero upgrades in the spirit of roguelikes.
To give players an opportunity to experience Project Ethos ahead of its official launch, a limited playtest is set to take place this weekend across select regions, including the US, UK, Canada, and several European countries. Interested participants can gain access by watching partnered streams on the official Project Ethos Twitch channel for at least 30 minutes. The playtest will be available from October 17 to October 21, allowing fans to try out both the Extraction and Gauntlet modes firsthand.
