The inception of Fragpunk is an all-too-familiar tale, beginning with something as simple as a shattered phone screen. This crack, besides capturing the rebellious and dystopian vibes Fragpunk strives for, serves as a metaphor for a fractured world and the multiple, often conflicting perspectives we have of the same reality.
Manifesting within the Shardverse, Fragpunk’s world is torn apart by Glunite, a mystical substance imparting everyday people from parallel realms with incredible powers, yet leaving them dependent on it for survival. These individuals become mercenaries known as Lancers, battling across various Shards to get their hands on any Glunite they can find.
In every new round of Fragpunk, players receive Shard Cards. These cards empower Lancers to manipulate their surroundings, either to their own benefit or the enemy’s detriment. The effects range from light-hearted, such as toggling a big head mode on opponents, to game-altering, like opening a portal to an alternate map version, effectively doubling the play area. Here, the multiverse concept isn’t just eye candy but integral to gameplay.
“What sets our game apart,” notes Fu Wenhe, Fragpunk’s narrative director at Bad Guitar studio, “is the fact that no two rounds are ever identical. We’ve achieved this by sticking to our core principle: challenge the norms and bend the rules, across art, narrative, and gameplay design.”
From the start, the team aimed to appeal globally, drawing inspiration from mainstream media worldwide. “Our art style, mixing 2D and 3D, takes a cue from the Spider-Verse movies,” adds Wenhe.
The Spider-Verse inspiration isn’t merely visual. Though characters arise from distinct realities, the Spider-Verse charm comes from how disparate elements harmoniously coexist. Fragpunk hopes to emulate this, crafting a world familiar yet unique by prioritizing narrative coherence.
“We aim for consistent character designs,” says Li Yiming, Fragpunk’s art director. “All characters adhere to guidelines in style, appearance, animations, skills, and colors, so they display individual personalities while maintaining a unified art style.”
The game’s lore, established from inception, is continuously evolving. “Our narrative team crafts the lore and character prototypes, and then the art team suggests designs,” explains Fu. “It’s a collaborative process to decide which prototypes advance.”
Just as crucial as the characters are the maps they traverse, showcasing the Shardverse’s nature. While Fragpunk, fundamentally a competitive shooter, taps into typical map styles—be it a transport depot or a temple—it anchors them in the Shardverse narrative.
“We work closely with the map design team,” Fu elaborates. “While we sketch a theme, they design the player paths and bomb sites, setting the scene without constraints.” Huang Jingsi, a narrative designer, adds, “Post-design, we assign callouts and decorations, ensuring they align with the lore yet are practical for gameplay communication.”
In a competitive field where games must continuously evolve with new characters and maps, the multiverse setup offers practical benefits. Shardverse doesn’t just excuse Fragpunk’s chaotic spectacle but serves as a genuine framework to incorporate diverse aesthetics and stories, avoiding the haphazard feel of many live service games.
“In creating the Shardverse, we leveraged the punk art style’s versatility,” Fu explains. “It permits diverse material designs and future expansions.” Li clarifies, “Our skins range by rank, with higher ones showcasing imaginative designs highlighting character moments, whether past or future.”
Beyond aesthetics, Bad Guitar plans to enrich Fragpunk’s lore through various media, including digital graphic novels and animations. “We embrace all media forms to narrate our game’s lore,” says Fu. “In-game, story elements are conveyed through text, voice lines, and skins. Outside, we aim for dynamic comics and trailers.”
For further insight into Fragpunk’s gameplay and how it embodies the essence of shooters universally, explore our preview and chat with Bad Guitar’s creative director, Xin Chang.
Fragpunk is set to launch on March 6th for PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. However, console enthusiasts on PlayStation and Xbox will have to wait a bit longer for its arrival.
