Are you ready to dive into the thrilling world of Project ETHOS? This new free-to-play roguelike hero shooter from 2K and 31st Union is now open for playtesting. Here’s everything you need to know about the game and how to join the action.
Project ETHOS Playtest: October 17th to October 21st
2K’s Project ETHOS: A Free-to-Play Roguelike Hero Shooter
2K Games, in collaboration with 31st Union, has introduced Project ETHOS, a free-to-play roguelike hero shooter that aims to revolutionize the genre. This game blends the dynamic progression of roguelikes with the strategic depth of hero shooters, all in a fast-paced, third-person perspective.
What makes Project ETHOS stand out in the bustling hero shooter market? From gameplay footage on Twitch and feedback from early testers, it’s clear that Project ETHOS offers a unique blend of roguelike unpredictability and hero shooter strategy. Each match features randomized "Evolutions" that modify your hero’s abilities, allowing for on-the-fly strategic adjustments. Imagine turning your sniper into a close-combat specialist or boosting your support hero into a formidable solo force.
Project ETHOS includes two distinct modes. The first, Trials, is the game's "signature mode" as highlighted in the playtest announcement on October 17, 2024. In Trials, players collect cores, decide when to extract, and use these to unlock new progression and abilities. If you die, you lose your cores, so the key is to survive, gather as many cores as possible, and cash out at the right moment. Trials involve teams of three competing against both human and AI opponents. You can join ongoing matches and face enemies already deep in the fray. If you're hesitant, you can check the remaining match duration before jumping in. There's no downtime in Trials; you might land right into a high-stakes situation.
If overwhelmed, you can strategically move across the map to collect Cores and XP. Levels are gained by collecting XP shards from loot bins, defeating enemies, and completing various events scattered throughout the map.
The second mode, Gauntlet, offers a traditional competitive PvP experience. Players battle through brackets, enhancing their hero with each victory, leading to an intense last-team-standing finale. If you're eliminated, you're out until the next round.
How to Join the Project ETHOS Community Playtest?
Project ETHOS is committed to evolving with its community, regularly introducing updates, new heroes, and adjustments based on player feedback. The current playtest runs from October 17th to October 21st. To participate, watch participating Twitch streams for 30 minutes to earn a playtest key. You can also sign up on the game’s official website for a chance to join future playtests.
The playtest is currently available to players in the United States, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. No global release has been announced yet. Be aware that servers will undergo maintenance at specified 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: 31st Union’s First Major Title
Project ETHOS is the debut major title from 31st Union, led by Michael Condrey, co-founder of Sledgehammer Games and a former Call of Duty developer. Condrey's expertise in multiplayer shooters clearly influences the game's design.
While 2K and 31st Union have not announced a release date for Project ETHOS, the game's innovative approach to the hero shooter genre and its unique marketing strategy through Twitch and Discord are certainly intriguing. Only time will tell if this bold venture will capture the hearts of gamers worldwide.
