Fragpunk’s origin story is all too familiar: the unfortunate event of a cracked phone screen. Beyond the shattered glass and its kaleidoscope of neon colors lies a profound metaphor—the rebellious yet dystopian vibe truly embodies what Fragpunk strives to reflect. The broken screen symbolizes a fragmented reality, highlighting a world where our experiences diverge yet run parallel through the lens of our daily tech.
Set in the Shardverse, Fragpunk’s universe revolves around the enigmatic substance Glunite. This material infuses ordinary people from alternate dimensions with extraordinary powers, although it binds them to its energy for survival. These individuals, known as Lancers, now traverse various Shards battling for any Glunite they can lay their hands on.
Players in Fragpunk engage with Shard Cards, presented after every round. These cards enable Lancers to manipulate their surroundings, creating strategic advantages or imposing nifty annoyances on opponents. Effects range from whimsical—like inflating enemy heads—to drastic, such as opening portals to different map realms, effectively doubling the battlefield.
This notion of multiverses doesn’t merely enhance visuals; it significantly impacts gameplay.
According to Fu Wenhe, Fragpunk’s narrative director at Bad Guitar studio, the unique allure of the game is in its unpredictability. “Every round is a novel experience,” he boasts. “By consistently challenging norms through our design—be it visuals, storyline, or gameplay—we keep things fresh.” This global appeal stems from wide-reaching inspirations, prominently visible in its art style, influenced by the Spider-Verse films.
While Fragpunk finds aesthetic inspiration from the Spider-Verse, its depth transcends visual homage. Each character originating from distinct realities maintains a harmonious existence within the game’s universe, echoing the Spider-Verse’s harmonious blend. This balance between familiarity and novelty in the gaming world is a tough nut to crack, yet Fragpunk aims to achieve it by focusing on character-driven narratives.
Li Yiming, the art director, is clear about their aim: “Our character development consciously avoids favoritism. We create consistency across style, appearance, skills, and even color harmony. The intent is balancing character individuality with a unified artistic vision.” Characters at Fragpunk aren’t hastily crafted; their stories evolve throughout the game’s development, enriched by a collaborative process between narrative and art teams.
Central to Fragpunk’s experience are the enthralling maps—expressions of the Shardverse’s layered realities. Although positioned within the competitive shooter arena, Fragpunk imbibes traditional map archetypes—complete with destructible barrels or makeshift bunkers—into its unique narrative fabric.
“We operate in tandem with the map design team,” Fu elaborates. “We propose overarching themes, while they conceptualize map layouts. The narrative team then embellishes these maps, ensuring lore consistency and intuitive player navigation,” adds Huang Jingsi, one of the narrative designers.
Fragpunk’s intriguing universe of parallel dimensions isn’t just a storytelling trope but also a clever device for fresh content. Understanding this, Bad Guitar positions the Shardverse as a limitless playground for new characters, maps, and thematic updates. This strategy provides natural opportunities to integrate diverse elements, cleverly sidestepping the chaotic amalgam of inspirations seen in other games.
“We designed the Shardverse purposefully,” Fu reveals. “Our distinct punk art style offers a fertile canvas for endless creative expression. Future character skins range from simple palette swaps to imaginative renditions exploring character arcs,” Li explains.
Beyond cosmetics, Bad Guitar aspires to expand its lore through an array of media formats, offering everything from woven in-game narratives to digital comics and animations. “We’re embracing every storytelling avenue,” Fu states. “Voice lines, comics, story-driven skins, and animated trailers all play a role in narrating our world.”
For a deeper dive into Fragpunk’s gameplay—and why it encapsulates the essence of modern shooters—read our exclusive chats with Bad Guitar’s creative director, Xin Chang.
Mark your calendars: Fragpunk hits PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store on March 6th. PlayStation and Xbox enthusiasts will have to hold on a bit longer for their release date.
