2K and developer 31st Union have announced the launch of Project: Ethos, a free-to-play 3rd-person hero shooter entering a crowded and fraught marketplace. The publisher describes it as an “exciting evolution” of the genre, introducing light roguelike mechanics where playable characters evolve with semi-randomized upgrades unique to each hero. Players can transform a sniper into a “close-range skirmisher” or a support role into a powerful lone wolf. The game offers changing abilities, stakes, and challenges with unlockable Augments to enhance runs. A community playtest is currently ongoing where players can experience the signature Trials mode or explore the Gauntlet tournament mode. The playtest is available until October 20 in the US, Canada, Mexico, and Europe, but accessing the early build requires completing a Twitch Drop and streaming 30 minutes of content from one of 2K’s partner creators. An official release date has not been announced for those unwilling to participate in the stream.
