Project ETHOS, the exciting new free-to-play roguelike hero shooter from 2K and 31st Union, is now open for playtesting! Dive into the details of this upcoming game and learn how you can participate in the playtest.
Project ETHOS Playtest Starts October 17th to October 21st
2K’s Project ETHOS is an F2P Roguelike Hero Shooter
2K Games, in collaboration with 31st Union, has introduced Project ETHOS, a free-to-play roguelike hero shooter poised to revolutionize the genre. This game blends the dynamic progression of roguelikes with the strategic depth of hero-based shooting, all experienced from a thrilling third-person viewpoint.
What makes Project ETHOS stand out in the competitive hero-shooter market? Insights from gameplay footage on Twitch and feedback from early testers reveal that Project ETHOS integrates the unpredictable nature of roguelikes with the distinct abilities of hero shooters. Each match features randomized "Evolutions" that modify your hero's capabilities, allowing players to adapt their strategies dynamically. For example, you might convert a sniper into a close-combat specialist or enhance a support character to become a formidable solo force.
Project ETHOS offers two engaging modes. The first, Trials, is the game's "signature mode" as announced on October 17, 2024. In Trials, players collect cores, decide when to extract, and use these cores to unlock new progression and abilities. True to roguelike mechanics, losing a match means forfeiting your cores, which are crucial for acquiring Augments—upgrades that enhance future runs. To optimize core collection, players must survive and gather as many cores as possible before cashing out.
Trials features three-player teams competing against both human and AI opponents. You can join ongoing matches, facing enemies already engaged in the action. If the challenge seems daunting, you can check the remaining match duration before joining. Remember, there's no downtime in Trials; you might land right into a high-stakes situation.
If you find yourself outmatched, you can explore the map to collect Cores and XP. Levels can be gained through various means, such as collecting XP shards from loot bins, defeating enemies, and completing random events scattered throughout the map.
The second mode, Gauntlet, offers a more traditional competitive PvP experience. Players battle through brackets, enhancing their hero with each victory, leading to a final showdown where the last team standing emerges victorious. If you're eliminated, you'll have to wait for the next round to continue.
How to Join Project ETHOS Community Playtest?
Project ETHOS, like other live-service games, will evolve with regular updates, new heroes, and adjustments based on community feedback. The community playtest began on October 17th and will run until October 21st. To participate, watch participating Twitch streams for 30 minutes to receive a playtest key. Additionally, you can sign up on the game's official website for a chance to join future playtests.
The current playtest is available to players in the United States, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. No global release has been confirmed yet. Be aware that server maintenance will occur during the playtest period. The servers will be operational at the following times:
North American Countries
⚫︎ October 17th: 10 AM – 11 PM PT
⚫︎ October 18th-20th: 11 AM – 11 PM PT
European Countries
⚫︎ October 17th: 6 PM - 1 AM GMT+1
⚫︎ October 18th-21st: 1 PM - 1 AM GMT+1
Project ETHOS is 31st Union’s First Major Title
Project ETHOS represents 31st Union's debut major title, spearheaded by Michael Condrey, co-founder of Sledgehammer Games and a former Call of Duty developer. Condrey's expertise in multiplayer shooters is evident in the design of Project ETHOS.
While 2K and 31st Union have not announced a release date or timeline for the game, the innovative approach to the hero shooter genre and the unique marketing strategy through Twitch and Discord will be key factors in determining its success.
