Shrapnel, a prominent Web3 extraction shooter game developed by Seattle-based Neon Machine, is launching its early access demo, named Shrapnel Training Exercises One (STX1), on the Epic Games Store for PC users. Departing from conventional game development practices, Shrapnel adopts a community-first approach, allowing players to actively shape the game throughout its development until the full release scheduled for 2025.
In contrast to traditional triple-A game releases, the early demo release on the Epic Games Store is a departure from the norm. Shrapnel embraces transparency, involving its pre-launch community of over 100,000 Discord members and 350,000 followers in key design and story decisions through continuous feedback and voting. This collaborative effort includes player-contributed artwork featured in the cinematic trailer, with about 3,000 players purchasing Extraction Packs.
STX1 introduces playable characters at the maximum progression level, along with weapons, a grenade, and the first special Sigma ability, "Sigma Wave." The mysterious resource Sigma powers up gear and abilities. Shrapnel plans to expand characters, weapons, and Sigma abilities during the early access stages based on feedback from the dedicated player base.
Shrapnel's unique approach allows creators to customize various aspects of the game, from characters to weapons and in-game maps. Online leaderboards will track player skills based on Sigma extraction, offering rewards from Shrapnel's community rewards pool. Creators can market and trade their creations, fostering a robust creator ecosystem and providing income opportunities for players.
Mark Long, CEO of Shrapnel, emphasizes the invaluable feedback from the passionate community, shaping the game into a high-quality triple-A first-person shooter. The game's post-apocalyptic, dystopian universe extends beyond gaming into comic books and a live-action short film. Developed by industry veterans, Shrapnel's recent $20 million funding round brings its total funding to $37.5 million. Despite a publicized dispute with a venture investor attempting a takeover, Shrapnel confirms Long as CEO, and the lawsuit is ongoing.
