Neon Machine has secured a $20 million Series A funding for its ambitious project, the blockchain-based shooter named Shrapnel. The funding, spearheaded by Polychain Capital and supported by Griffin Gaming Partners, Brevan Howard Digital, Franklin Templeton, IOSG Ventures, and Tess Ventures, marks a significant step forward for the gaming venture, media reports said.
This financial boost follows a previous infusion of $10.5 million in late 2021, dedicated to kickstarting the development of Shrapnel. Marketed as an extraction shooter, the game stands out with its unique selling point—a “creator ecosystem” that empowers players to take ownership of their in-game creations and actively shape the game’s future.
According to the Shrapnel website, players will have the ability to claim ownership of various in-game elements such as maps, callsigns, and skins. These assets will be published on the blockchain as distinctive non-fungible items (NFTs), using the game’s native “SHRAP” tokens.
The project boldly asserts that Shrapnel will be the inaugural moddable triple-A first-person shooter (FPS) entirely built on the blockchain. The aim is to allow players to collectively own the game and influence its future direction. Neon Machine emphasizes the transformative potential of blockchain and crypto-based assets in the gaming industry, enabling players to have true ownership and visibility of their contributions on the chain.
Addressing concerns about the environmental impact and speculative nature of blockchain and NFT-based titles, Neon Machine expresses confidence in the Avalanche blockchain, claiming its commitment to minimizing environmental impact. The studio has assembled a team of developers with experience from major companies such as Xbox, EA, HBO, LucasFilm, Sucker Punch, and Irrational.
Anticipating a December 2023 early access release for paid users and an official free-to-play launch in 2024, Neon Machine sees this funding as crucial for rolling out playable releases and achieving key milestones. These milestones include the launch of the Shrapnel Marketplace, facilitating in-game item transactions, and further development of creator tools for players to craft skins, maps, and other in-game items.
Shrapnel CEO Mark Long highlights the substantial growth of the Neon Machine team, now boasting over 70 members, and emphasizes their dedication to delivering a “blockbuster-quality shooter.” The stage is set for Shrapnel to make waves in the gaming industry with its innovative approach and blockchain-backed ownership model.
