Project Ethos, the third-person shooter in improvement at 2K’s thirty first Union studio, is present process main modifications and slicing employees from the venture.
Studio head Ben Brinkman mentioned in a memo to employees at the moment, shared with GameSpot by 2K, that Project Ethos is turning into a “skill-based PvP roguelike” as a part of the “renewed course” that was introduced in 2025. A brand new piece of idea artwork for the sport will be seen under. Brinkman additionally mentioned Project Ethos is aiming to be a recreation that can “problem and thrill gamers.”
“We have developed as a crew this previous yr in what has been a defining interval of artistic development. Whereas the strikes we’re making have not at all times been straightforward, they’re what’s required to push us ahead. I imagine strongly in our skill to ship on this imaginative and prescient and the promise of this recreation,” Brinkman mentioned.
He additionally confirmed that thirty first Union is slicing employees to “understand our objectives and ship this expertise for gamers.”
“Our success depends on our skill to work extra rapidly and nimbly. To try this, we have made the troublesome choice to cut back our crew to higher align with the place we’re in improvement, which sadly means parting methods with some valued colleagues at the moment,” he mentioned.
His memo continued: “Whereas at the moment goes to be arduous, I’ve by no means been extra assured in the way forward for our recreation, this crew, and the dedication and funding Take-Two and 2K management proceed to point out.”
Brinkman took over as the pinnacle of thirty first Union after the previous boss, ex-Name of Responsibility government Michael Condrey, left the studio.
Brinkman is a veteran of the shooter house, having most just lately spent 5 years at Respawn as government producer for Apex Legends. Earlier than that, he was an government producer for the Name of Responsibility sequence at Activision from 2008 to 2020. He is truly returning to 2K, as he was a producer on the firm from July 2006 to March 2008.
GameSpot’s hands-on preview of Project Ethos mentioned the sport was “delightfully totally different” however lacked an identification. Precisely what this “renewed imaginative and prescient” is stays to be seen, nor do we all know when 2K might share extra particulars in regards to the recreation or present it off once more.
In February 2025, it was reported that Project Ethos must “pivot or be killed.”