The inception of Fragpunk owes itself to an all-too-familiar misfortune: the agony of dealing with a shattered phone screen.
This specific image—a fractured interface with a kaleidoscope of neon hues—perfectly captures the dystopian yet rebellious vibe that Fragpunk strives to embody. However, the metaphor digs even deeper. In an era where our lives are intertwined with technology, a broken screen symbolizes not just fragmented glass but a splintered world and the multitude of contrasting realities we encounter.
This theme runs through Fragpunk, set in the Shardverse, a universe ripped apart by the mysterious Glunite element. This substance bestows people with extraordinary abilities, albeit tethering them to its essence for survival. Enter the Lancers, mercenaries navigating the fragmented realms or Shards in pursuit of Glunite.
Each round of Fragpunk introduces Shard Cards into the mix, allowing players to bend the game world to their strategic whims. Transformations range from lighthearted tweaks—like activating big head mode for adversaries—to major shifts such as opening portals to alternate map versions, effectively expanding the battlefield on the fly.
Fragpunk’s multiverse doesn’t just dazzle visually; it fundamentally influences gameplay.
Narrative Director Fu Wenhe, from Bad Guitar studio, highlights Fragpunk’s unique proposition: “Our game promises that no two rounds are ever quite alike. We’ve stuck to the principle of challenging conventions across our art, narrative, and game mechanics.”
Further enhancing its appeal, Fragpunk draws from global media inspirations. “Our unique blend of 2D and 3D elements owes much to the Spider-Verse movies,” Fu points out.
Yet, Fragpunk’s nod to the Spider-Verse transcends aesthetics. Although characters hail from varied universes, they still harmonize within their shared world—a central theme in Spider-Verse movies. Fragpunk aspires to similarly achieve a cohesive yet intriguingly diverse universe, balancing familiarity with novelty. The development team embraces a narrative-first approach to integrate each character seamlessly into its expansive world.
Art Director Li Yiming emphasizes this unified vision, “Our aim is to ensure consistency across all characters—design, animation, skills, and colors—while allowing individual personalities to shine.”
Global appeal is central, and the process begins with a solid narrative foundation. Fu outlines, “We lay down the lore from the start, constantly refining our setting through development.” Collaboration between narrative and art teams fosters a dynamic process of character and design evolution.
A pivotal element in Fragpunk’s universe development is its imaginative maps—where the multiverse concept truly shines. Although at its core a competitive shooter, Fragpunk transforms classic map archetypes by imbuing them with Shardverse lore, adding layers of depth to the gameplay.
Fu elaborates on the collaborative design process, “While we provide the thematic outline, the map design team is free to plot player routes and objectives. We then add narrative elements to distinguish and enrich the player experience.”
Huang Jingsi, a narrative designer, underscores the importance of intuitive communication, “Map naming aims for consistency with Fragpunk’s lore while aiding player coordination with straightforward callouts.”
Fragpunk’s multi-reality concept not only enhances narrative immersion but offers practical benefits, especially in the longevity-centric free-to-play model. The Shardverse serves as both a captivating backdrop and a flexible creative canvas for integrating fashion, cultural references, and lore moments reflecting a character’s arc.
“With the Shardverse’s expansive scope, we’re set for interesting skins and design innovations,” Fu explains, addressing the competitive demands of live service games. Li adds, “We have innovative plans for high-tier skins, which may depict pivotal points in a character’s story.”
Beyond game features, Bad Guitar aims to enrich lore through various media including digital graphic novels and animations, expanding Fragpunk’s universe in compelling ways. “We intend to use diverse media for storytelling,” Fu explains. “From voice lines and in-game text to comics and animated trailers, we’re committed to exploring every avenue.”
For a deeper dive into gameplay mechanics and what makes Fragpunk a unique shooter experience, don’t miss our preview and insights from Bad Guitar’s creative director, Xin Chang.
Fragpunk is set to make its debut on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store on March 6th. While enthusiasts wait with anticipation for its console release on PlayStation and Xbox, which is coming later, excitement for this innovative title continues to grow.
