A new title from 31st Union, a studio under 2K Games, has recently caught the attention of the gaming community... and Hooooo boy... Is it.. Something.
Described by Tebow at MinimalEffortGaming as a cross between Fortnite and the now-defunct The Cycle, the game 'promises' fast-paced action and vibrant visuals. BUTTTT, beyond the gameplay, there's a conversation about the studio's overtly insane emphasis on diversity, inclusivity, and representation. Here we go again...
Androgynous Character Designs Draw Criticism
One of the most notable aspects of Project ETHOS is its character roster. Many players have pointed out that the characters appear androgynous, lacking distinct male or female traits. This design choice has led to debates among gamers who feel that the absence of clear gender characteristics might affect their connection to the characters.
All the characters look the same. Why do studios keep doing this? It. Doesn't. WORK. Speaking of work. The job descriptions for open positions at this studio are something to behold...
Studio's Emphasis on Diversity and Inclusion
According to Tebow from Minimal Effort Gaming, a more troubling aspect is the studio's strong focus on diversity, inclusivity, and representation.
31st Union prominently highlights these values on their official website, making them a core part of their identity and development process.
Further emphasizing this commitment, a recent job posting for a Writer/Narrative Designer heavily underscores these principles. The listing specifies that candidates should align with the company's dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
This focus suggests that these themes will be deeply integrated into the game's narrative and character development.
Tebow went on to state:
This free to play PvPvE extraction shooter is from a studio known as 31st Union out of San Francisco and Valencia, Spain. Their debut title, Project Ethos, is going live for a community playtest today, and this game has all the red flags that you'd expect!!
Community Reactions and Concerns
The reaction from the gaming community has been exactly what's become to be expected with the endless DEI slop being pumped out of these ESG factories. Strong concerns abound that the emphasis on DEI values once again come directly at the expense of any gameplay quality and character depth.
Why does it feel like they're prioritizing a checklist over compelling characters and story?
OldManGrim an awesome follow on Twitter - (check him out) also pointed out that representation shouldn't overshadow fundamental game design elements that contribute to an engaging player experience.
He tweeted:
Just got an email about this. Judging by the haircuts I see here, seems like we have another lovely woke game on our hands! Anyone got any info on this one?
The Balance Between Values and Gameplay
The situation with Project ETHOS highlights a broader conversation in the gaming industry about balancing social values with entertainment.
While it was at one time commendable and acceptable for studios to promote inclusivity and diversity, there's an ongoing debate about how these principles should influence game design and whether they enhance or detract from the player's enjoyment... But any actual gamer would agree that the less DEI involved in a project, the better. Past history has shown a direct correlation.
Looking Ahead
As more information about Project ETHOS emerges, it'll be interesting to see how 31st Union addresses these concerns (spoiler - they won't - but we can expect them to blame gamers for being in the wrong). Will the final product manage to harmoniously blend its inclusive values with engaging gameplay and character design? Don't hold your breath.
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to Tebow from Minimal Effort Gaming for shedding additional light on this and to OldManGrim for bringing it to our attention!
~Smash
It never ceases to amaze me that game companies along with their gave devs just aren't getting the message at all about games and that is NO gamers out there want the DEI garbage in the games at all. They think this *Diversity-Equity & Inclusivity crap is a bunch of Nonsensed Garbage and should be cut Completely out of games because NO ONE out there wants this boring Bullshit in their games at all. Not to mention here,I also think the characters should also be drawn more properly and not to look like Ugly as Fuck characters like these brainwashed DEI devs have pretty much drawn for the last few games that have come out & Bombed Big time
Sounds like a another failure like concord