Project ETHOS is a free-to-play, third-person hero shooter built around two linked ideas: semi-randomized, hero-specific upgrades called Evolutions, and Trials, an extraction mode where players collect cores and decide when to leave. It was announced in October 2024 and remains listed as in development, with its release date still to be determined.
What is Project ETHOS?
2K and 31st Union announced Project ETHOS in October 2024 as a free-to-play roguelike hero shooter for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC, according to Gematsu’s announcement report. That platform lineup describes the original announcement. The current PlayStation Store listing describes the game as a free-to-play, third-person roguelike hero shooter in development and lists PS5.
The concept combines hero-shooter combat with build changes during a match and an extraction decision that can affect longer-term progression. The game’s official store listing calls those systems Evolutions and Trials.
How do Evolutions work?
Evolutions are powerful, semi-randomized upgrades unique to each hero. The store description says they can change a hero’s role or playstyle during a match, so the intended build is not necessarily fixed from the start. The description establishes the system’s purpose, but does not specify the upgrade pool, selection rules, or how often players choose an Evolution.
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- Compatible with Windows and Android.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection)
- Hall Effect joysticks and Hall triggers. Wear-resistant metal joystick rings.
- Extra R4/L4 bumpers. Custom button mapping without using software. Turbo function.
- Refined bumpers and D-pad. Light but tactile.
What happens in Trials?
Trials is the extraction mode. The official listing describes an ongoing fight in which players gather cores, choose whether to extract, and can unlock Augments to support future Trials runs. That gives the mode two connected stakes: what players collect in the current run and the progression they may carry into later runs.
The listing does not detail the extraction conditions, what is lost on failure, or the precise effect of Augments. Those mechanics should not be assumed from the genre label alone.
Rank #2
- Tri-mode Connectivity: Wired for Xbox, 2.4G & Wired for PC, and Bluetooth for Android. The G7 Pro supports seamless connectivity across Xbox, PC, and Android. Effortlessly switch between modes using the convenient physical mode switch.
- TMR Sticks: The G7 Pro features GameSir's Mag-Res TMR sticks, combining Hall Effect durability with traditional potentiometer performance. This advanced technology delivers stable polling rates for smooth, drift-free gaming with low power consumption.
- Hall Effect Analog Triggers: The GameSir precision-tuned Hall Effect analog triggers provide unmatched smoothness and linear input for precise control. Featuring clicky Micro Switch trigger stops, gamers can easily switch based on their preferences.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate on PC: Experience ultra-responsive gaming with a 1000Hz polling rate on PC, available through both wired and 2.4G wireless connections. This ensures instantaneous input registration, reducing lag and optimizing your performance for the most competitive gameplay.
- GameSir Nexus App: The G7 Pro is compatible with the upgraded GameSir Nexus app, which brings a significant upgrade over the original. It introduces powerful new features such as gyro settings, stick curve adjustments, and button-to-mouse mapping, giving you deeper customization and more control than ever before.
Is Project ETHOS free to play, and what does it require?
The PlayStation Store listing says the game is free to play and that in-game purchases are optional. It also lists online play and a 2K account requirement. The listing does not provide details or prices for optional purchases.
When does Project ETHOS come out?
No release date is announced on the current PlayStation Store listing; it says the release date is “to be determined.” The public playtest window reported by PixelCritics ran from October 17 to 20, 2024, and is historical, not an upcoming opportunity. See PixelCritics’ October 2024 report.
Rank #3
- Versatile compatibility: supports Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One X/S consoles and PC Win10 and above (including the game platform Steam).
- Precise control: features Hall joysticks and Hall triggers for a comfortable feeling, long service life and improved game accuracy.
- Plug and Play Convenience: Wired USB connection (removable) for easy setup and instant play without the need for additional drivers.
- Customizable experience: Includes 2 custom backbuttons that allow users to eliminate false triggers and improve their gaming experience.
- Impressive gameplay: Provides a pulsating vibration trigger and an asymmetric vibration grip motor for intense tactile feedback.
What changed after the reveal?
In a May 8, 2026 report, PC Gamer reported that 31st Union confirmed layoffs while continuing development. The report quoted studio head Ben Brinkman describing a renewed direction as a “skill-based PVP roguelike experience.” This is later reported context; it is distinct from the PlayStation Store’s current product description, which still labels the game a roguelike hero shooter in development.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Multi-Platform PC Gaming Controller: Working with Switch, PC, Android, and iOS devices via Bluetooth, wired, and wireless dongle connections.
- Hall Effect Joysticks: Delivering enhanced recentering performance for smoother control and superior anti-drift capability. Plus, with anti-friction rings.
- 2-Way Trigger Lock: With trigger stops, gamers can toggle between short and long pull positions. Additionally, gamers can activate hair trigger mode by pressing M+LT/RT (triggers must be in the long pull position).
- 1000Hz Polling Rate: This ensures that your inputs are registered almost instantaneously, minimizing lag and maximizing your performance during competitive play.
- Mechanical Circular D-pad: Designed for quick reactions and accuracy in every direction, this D-pad elevates your gaming experience with superior responsiveness.
Rank #4
- XBOX WIRELESS CONTROLLER + USB-C CABLE — Includes the XBOX Wireless Controller in Carbon Black and a 9' USB-C cable. Play wirelessly or plug in for a wired gaming experience, right out of the box.*
- WIRED OR WIRELESS, YOUR CALL — Connect the included 9' USB-C cable for zero-setup wired play on console and PC. Go wireless when you want the freedom to play from the couch, the desk, or anywhere in between.
- PC READY. NO EXTRAS NEEDED — Plug the USB-C cable into your Windows PC and you're playing instantly. No adapters, no Bluetooth pairing, no additional purchases required. Works across the XBOX app, Steam, and more.*
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience sculpted surfaces and refined geometry designed around how you actually hold a controller. Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grip on the triggers, bumpers, and back case.
- UP TO 40 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 40 hours of wireless battery life on standard AA batteries. When the batteries run low, plug in the included cable and keep playing without missing a beat.*
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