As 2024 reaches its midpoint, Shrapnel has already achieved several significant milestones, reflecting substantial progress in its development. This year has been marked by numerous updates, community engagements, and new features that have enriched the gaming experience. Here’s a recap of the year so far and a glimpse into what lies ahead.

Shrapnel Cover Banner on X

What is Shrapnel?

Shrapnel is not your typical Early Access multiplayer game. This first-person extraction shooter features a single operator, a limited selection of weapons, and an unfinished map set in a futuristic Japanese city. The game currently exhibits missing textures on buildings and surfaces, with basic geometric shapes serving as placeholders for future content. It represents a greybox environment, an early development stage rarely available for public play.

However, for Seattle-based developer Neon Machine, this approach is intentional. The goal is to involve the community early in the development process, allowing player feedback to shape both the map and Shrapnel’s extraction gameplay. 

Shrapnel Key 2024 Milestones

Throughout 2024, Shrapnel has continued to build momentum with regular playtests and the introduction of new features. Recent updates include direct debit and credit card payment options, a new staking system, and craftable skins. The game's SHRAP token, which launched in November 2023, operates on its own Avalanche-based subnet, enhancing the game's economic ecosystem. Let's dive into the details!

Early Access Launch and Continuous Updates

Shrapnel’s Early Access events have been a major highlight, with tens of thousands of gamers participating. These events not only offer a sneak peek into the game’s mechanics but also allow the community to provide valuable feedback. Continuous updates have been made to improve gameplay, fix bugs, and introduce new features. Over 2.3 million SHRAP rewards have been distributed, including event-exclusive weapon skins.

Marketplace Launch

The launch of the peer-to-peer marketplace has enabled players to trade weapon skin fragments and skins. This feature has been a significant addition, with further updates and functionalities in the pipeline.

Marketplace Launch

Exclusive Content and Crafting

Shrapnel has introduced official skins, available as rewards or for purchase. The crafting system allows players to create exclusive weapon skins using fragments and wildcards collected in-game. The selection of craftable skins will evolve as new fragments are introduced and older ones retired.

Enhanced User Experience

• Fiat Onboarding: Players can now buy SHRAP using debit and credit cards directly on Shrapnel.com, simplifying the process.
• Boxed.GG Integration: Users can purchase GEMS with SHRAP on boxed.gg, exploring collectibles from various popular games.

New Gun Skins

METAL & Shrapnel Operations

The METAL system enhances user interaction with the Shrapnel ecosystem. By participating in social and in-game quests, players earn METAL points, progressing through loyalty tiers that determine future rewards. METAL can also be used to purchase items from the Shrapnel Shop.

Enlistment and Rewards

Players can lock their SHRAP tokens on Shrapnel’s subnet to earn METAL. While these tokens are locked, they can still be used for various in-game purchases and trades, with greater METAL rewards for higher enlistments.

New Game Modes and Platforms

• The Lunatics: An auto-battler game available on Discord with PvP and PvE modes, rewarding players with METAL and Play Credits.
• Hyperplay: A web3-native game store that offers a new distribution channel and discoverability within the MetaMask games directory.

The Lunatics

Strategic Partnerships

Collaborations with us (GAM3S.GG), Avalanche, NeoTokyo, SuperVerse, The BoDoggos, and Alchemy have led to the creation of exclusive weapon skins. Additionally, Bitcoin-themed shotgun and pistol skins have been introduced, with more unique collaborations on the way.

Basic Extraction Pack

To make early access more accessible, Shrapnel launched the Basic Extraction Pack for $9.99. It includes early access to the game, a playable MEF Operator, and a Gear Pack, offering players opportunities to win exclusive skins and rewards.

Custom Weapon Skins

Future Developments

Looking ahead, Shrapnel has a lot of exciting updates planned:

Game and Art Updates

Improvements in locomotion, hit registration, and combat are ongoing. The introduction of persistent inventory allows players to retain and utilize loot across sessions. Additionally, high-fidelity map sections and weather variability will keep the game environment dynamic.

New Gear and Abilities

New weapons, attachments, and updates to existing gear, such as the Sigma Grenade and Trauma Kit, are on the horizon. The Sigma Dash ability will enable rapid movement, adding a strategic layer to gameplay. Sigma Power Curves will offer passive buffs based on Sigma levels.

Roadmap for the Rest of 2024

Enhanced Operator System

Players will soon choose and trade in-game operators, each with unique traits and perks. Operator progression and customization will be introduced next year, along with the Valdacha Depot for gear resupply.

Additional Features

• Weapon Charms: Decorative items for personalizing weapons.
• Sigma Skins: Super rare, collectible skins with unique rewards.
• The Printer & Schematics: A new system for crafting items from tokenized schematics.
• Anti-Cheat Mechanisms: Continuous refinement of anti-cheat policies to ensure fair play.
• Callsign Trading: Trading of unique on-chain gamer tags.
• Valdacha Recycling Center: A system for recycling items to obtain new loot.

Expanding the Narrative

Six new comic book stories will expand Shrapnel’s lore, with physical copies available for pre-order.

Shrapnel Game Art

Sneak Peek into Further Updates

Future enhancements include controller support, duo gameplay, persistent early access, operator progression, customization, safehouses, battle passes, and a referral system. Competitive gaming events and collaborations with esports teams and NFT communities are also planned.

For more information about the upcoming playtest and to stay updated with the latest news, visit the Shrapnel website and follow the game's X account. Stay tuned for further updates as Shrapnel continues to evolve and offer exciting new opportunities for its player base.