SNEAK PEEK
- Neon Machine secures $20 million in Series A funding, building on a previous $10.5 million seed round, to develop the game Shrapnel.
- The company’s team includes industry veterans from blockbuster titles like Halo and Call of Duty, raising high expectations for ‘Shrapnel’.
- Shrapnel differentiates itself by integrating Web3 and blockchain, allowing players genuine ownership of in-game assets.
Neon Machine, a pioneering Web3 gaming developer, has successfully raised $20 million in its Series A funding round for its forthcoming game, ‘Shrapnel’. This follows a substantial $10.5 million seed round in June 2021. Polychain Capital took the lead in this funding spree, with noteworthy participation from Griffin Gaming Partners, Brevan Howard Digital, Franklin Templeton, IOSG Ventures, and Tess Ventures.
Moreover, Neon Machine boasts a star-studded team with members previously associated with significant entertainment titles. Names like Halo, Call of Duty, and Westworld are prominent in their collective resume. Consequently, expectations are high for ‘Shrapnel’, which Neon Machine has branded as an AAA game, signifying its top-tier production, budget, and marketing prowess.
However, what sets ‘Shrapnel’ apart from other AAA titles is its innovative utilization of Web3 and blockchain technology. In contrast to games like ‘The Division 2’ that employ extraction mechanics, ‘Shrapnel’ offers players assets linked directly to the blockchain. This integration ensures players have full ownership of their in-game assets. Additionally, Neon Machine plans to roll out a modding toolset that theoretically permits the introduction of other blockchain assets into the game, fostering a dynamic environment for seasonal contests and tournament gameplay.
According to gameplay footage and details from the game’s website, ‘Shrapnel’ will be a first-person shooter incorporating multiplayer components. The gameplay, reminiscent of Call of Duty, Warzone, revolves around extraction mechanics where players must secure loot to preserve those items. Notably, this game is yet to commence its pre-alpha testing phase.
Neon Machine has also indicated that December will see the onset of early-access testing for ‘Shrapnel’, available exclusively to paid subscribers. Once this preliminary review phase concludes, a free-to-play version of the game is slated for release in 2024.
Besides focusing on ‘Shrapnel’, Neon Machine’s plans include the potential licensing of its Web3 developer’s API platform, named GameBridge, after the game’s official launch.
In the bustling landscape of the gaming industry, Neon Machine’s ‘Shrapnel’ is carving out a distinctive space with its blockchain integration. With a blend of veteran talent and Web3 technology, the gaming community eagerly awaits its release.
