2K Games has officially let go of Michael Condrey, president of 31st Union, following the tepid reception to the long-anticipated online multiplayer game, Project Ethos. Sources reveal that the game, unveiled last fall, failed to generate excitement or player interest. Despite this setback, 2K remains committed to the project and the studio, which is also launching Borderlands 4 and Mafia: The Old Country later this year. While Condrey, who co-founded Sledgehammer Games, has been dismissed from his role as studio head, he will continue to serve in an advisory capacity for Project Ethos. As 2K's parent company Take-Two Interactive gears up for its quarterly earnings announcement on February 6, speculation grows about the future of Project Ethos. Take-Two has a track record of announcing project cancellations during these updates, raising questions about the game's viability. A spokesperson for 2K expressed gratitude towards Condrey for his contributions and commitment to building a strong team at 31st Union, noting that he will temporarily shift to advising on Project Ethos. Project Ethos has reportedly endured a tumultuous development process under Condrey's leadership, which began after he departed from Sledgehammer Games in 2018. Initially marketed as a unique extraction shooter blending aesthetic elements reminiscent of Fortnite with hero-shooter mechanics, the game reportedly struggled to stand out amidst a crowded genre, receiving a 'meh' response from audiences. With the gaming landscape being extremely competitive, the reveal of Project Ethos coincided poorly with the notable failure of Concord, a high-profile hero shooter from Sony that offered refunds after its dismal launch. Though some live-service titles continue to thrive, the overall reception for Project Ethos has been lukewarm at best, prompting significant leadership changes and concerns about its future. As of now, while Condrey is transitioning to an advisory role, the direction of Project Ethos remains uncertain.
