FragPunk is a fresh, high-speed 5v5 hero-based FPS from Bad Guitar Studio and NetEase Games, blending the best of Valorant, Overwatch, and Quake into a chaotic, strategy-driven shooter. It’s launching free-to-play on PC (Steam & Epic Games Store), Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5, complete with full crossplay support. And don’t worry—no pay-to-win mechanics here. The developers have confirmed that all Shard Cards (the game’s signature feature) will be free to unlock, keeping the battlefield fair for everyone.
Shard Cards: Changing the Rules on the Fly
FragPunk’s biggest hook? The Shard Card system, which alters the rules of every round in real-time. With over 150 cards at launch, matches are constantly evolving. Some game-changing effects include:
- Super jumps for high-flying combat
- Reversing attacker/defender roles mid-round
- Bullets that chain lightning between enemies
- Reviving teammates instantly
With short, intense rounds averaging 2.5 minutes, and a low time-to-kill (TTK), the action is fast, unpredictable, and demanding.
Weapons, Lancers, and Maps
FragPunk launches with:
- 16 weapons (originally rumored as 20, later confirmed as 16)
- Highlife Sniper Rifle for aggressive long-range plays
- Burner secondary that drops incendiary bombs
- 13 playable characters (Lancers), each with unique abilities
- 7 diverse maps, from neon-lit cities to sci-fi battlegrounds
Season 1: Wild Dawn & New Content
At launch, Season 1: Wild Dawn will introduce fresh content, including:
- New Lancer: Chum – A stone robot with a fish companion, shaping his personality and playstyle
- New Map: Dongtian – A stunning floating mountain palace inspired by Eastern architecture
- A structured 4-month season cycle, split into two 2-month chapters
Expect new Lancers, weapons, Shard Cards, maps, and potentially even new modes in future updates.
Game Modes: Competitive & Casual Options
FragPunk caters to both competitive and casual players, offering:
- Shard Clash – The core competitive mode
- Outbreak – A zombie survival twist
- Deathmatch Variants – Special sniper-only and melee-only matches
Early Buzz & Player Excitement
NetEase Games, known for hits like Marvel Rivals and Naraka: Bladepoint, is betting big on FragPunk. The closed beta in October 2024 saw over 1 million sign-ups and peaked at 54,000 concurrent Twitch viewers—a strong sign of interest.
With its punk-infused sci-fi aesthetic, tactical depth, and fast-paced, ever-changing gameplay, FragPunk is shaping up to be a bold new entry in the hero shooter genre.