Bazooka Tango has officially launched the open beta for Shardbound, a fantasy trading card game that incorporates web3 elements and rewards. This significant development allows players from around the world to access the game via Steam and the Epic Games Store. Bo Daly, co-founder of Bazooka Tango, emphasized the significance of the open beta, stating: 

“This is a huge moment for us, and for the players who’ve been waiting to get in on the action. We’ve always believed in creating games that are fun to play but also have that extra depth for those who want to dig in. This is just the start of what we have planned, and I can’t wait to see how players take the game and make it their own.”

Shardbound Cover Banner on X (Twitter)

About Shardbound

Shardbound is a free-to-play turn-based tactics game that entered open beta on the Epic Games Store in late June. In Shardbound, matches occur on a 3D hexagonal battlefield where players deploy cards to summon Minions and utilize Relics to defeat their opponent’s Commander. Decks must include at least one Commander and one Relic, with additional card types like Equipment and Spells available for strategic enhancement.

Victory can be achieved by destroying the opponent’s Commander or by accumulating 10 Victory Points through control of Victory Crystals. Currently, Shardbound does not feature web3 elements, but the game is designed to remain free-to-play and will eventually support mobile platforms. The developers have stated their commitment to a monetization system that avoids a pay-to-win model.

Open Beta for Shardbound Promotional Graphic

Over 100,000 Pre-Registered Players

With the launch of the open beta on the Epic Games Store, over 100,000 pre-registered players will receive exclusive rewards, including a unique set of playable cards: one Rare, one Epic, and one Legendary. These cards aim to provide players with an advantage in crafting their decks and succeeding in battles.

In addition to the card rewards, Shardbound has announced a partnership with Immutable’s Main Quest. Through this collaboration, players who complete in-game quests will have the opportunity to earn Gems, which can be redeemed for IMX tokens, further enhancing their gaming experience.

Stephan Sherman, another co-founder, expressed a commitment to storytelling within the game, saying: “We didn’t just want to make another card game. As we said during development, ‘Every card, a story’, and I honestly hope players will fall in love with the characters and sprawling lore we’ve hand-crafted for the world of Shardbound.”

Shardbound Key Art 1

How to Earn IMX Gems and Tokens

Players can begin their journey in Shardbound with exclusive card distribution, which will be facilitated through their Immutable Passport wallets or as redemption codes sent via email. This initial distribution is designed to assist players in honing their strategies right from the start. The open beta also introduces several features related to web3 rewards.

Players who complete in-game quests can earn 100 Gems, redeemable for IMX tokens. While participation in web3 is optional, players who choose to connect their wallets during the open beta will qualify for various non-fungible token (NFT) upgrades. These upgrades are contingent on participation within specific time frames, with the first upgrade window open from October 9 to October 16. Subsequent upgrade opportunities will extend until November 6.

Shardbound Key Art 2

To further engage players, Bazooka Tango has scheduled a series of events. One notable event, “Shard and Shield,” invites players to participate in player-versus-player (PvP) action while completing missions for exclusive rewards.  New players can also take advantage of incentives for consecutive days played, alongside special opportunities to expand their card collections through faction-based events. Additional activities will include daily login challenges, faction showdowns, and starter packs.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the launch of the open beta for Shardbound marks an exciting step for Bazooka Tango, promising a unique blend of strategic gameplay and rich storytelling within the evolving landscape of web3 gaming. For those interested, more information is available via the official website here.

Source: GamesBeat