2K Games Dismisses 31st Union President Michael Condrey, Reaffirms Commitment to Project ETHOS Development

Major Leadership Change at 31st Union: Michael Condrey Departs

In a surprising development, 2K Games has announced the departure of Michael Condrey, the founder and president of 31st Union. This information was first reported by Kotaku, citing a notable decline in player engagement with the studio’s inaugural project, Project ETHOS, after its introduction in October 2024.

Commitment to Project ETHOS Remains Strong

Despite Condrey’s exit, 2K Games has assured the public that the studio and the game will continue to operate. A spokesperson stated:

We are grateful to Michael Condrey for the dedication, passion, and work ethic it took to build an incredible team and shape the vision of 31st Union. Michael will be transitioning his role in the short term to focus on advising on the future of Project ETHOS. We remain very committed to the forward path for Project ETHOS and the people and culture of the 31st Union studio.

Michael Condrey’s Legacy in Gaming

Condrey is widely recognized for his influential role in the gaming industry. He served as the Game Director for the critically acclaimed Dead Space at Visceral Games, alongside Bret Robbins, who has since developed Immortals of Aveum. Following this, he co-founded Sledgehammer Games with Glen Schofield, contributing his talents to several Call of Duty titles, including directing Call of Duty WWII in 2017. His latest venture led him to establish 31st Union in San Francisco under the aegis of 2K Games.

Insights into Project ETHOS

Project ETHOS is characterized as a free-to-play, third-person hero shooter that incorporates roguelike mechanics. Players can expect a unique gameplay experience through Evolutions, which offer powerful, semi-randomized upgrades tailored to each Hero. These Evolutions can transform characters; for instance, a sniper can evolve into a melee fighter or a support character can adapt to a lone wolf role. This innovation ensures that players encounter fresh skills, challenges, and stakes with each new session, enhancing replayability.

Gameplay Features and Extraction Mode

The game introduces an interesting extraction mode called Trials. This mode presents an ongoing and persistent challenge where players must collect cores to unlock powerful Augments. A significant aspect of Trials is its embedded risk versus reward mechanic, prompting players to choose between playing it safe with the cores or taking risks to strive for the top rankings.

As 31st Union continues to evolve, the gaming community eagerly anticipates the future developments regarding Project ETHOS and the direction the studio will take post-Condrey’s departure.

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