It all kicked off with something many of us have unfortunately experienced: a shattered phone screen. But beyond the surface-level mishap, that cracked display perfectly mirrored the rebellious and dystopian aesthetic that Fragpunk aimed to achieve, diving even deeper into its symbolic roots.
Our dependence on these pocket-sized gadgets is immense. A fractured screen isn’t just a cosmetic defect; it’s a representation of a fragmented world where multiple perspectives of the same reality coexist.
Fragpunk unfolds in a realm known as the Shardverse, a world torn apart by a mysterious element called Glunite. This substance bestows astounding powers upon ordinary folks from various alternate realities, but with a price—dependency. These empowered individuals, called Lancers, now rove across different Shards as mercenaries, battling for the precious Glunite.
In between battles, players receive Shard Cards in Fragpunk, which Lancers utilize to manipulate their environment to gain an edge—or trip up their foes. The outcomes range from the whimsical, like activating big head mode for opponents, to the transformative, such as opening a portal to a parallel version of the current map, effectively doubling the gameplay area. In this way, Fragpunk’s multiverse does more than dazzle visually; it actively influences the gameplay dynamics.
“The unique aspect of our game is that each round feels refreshingly different,” remarks Fu Wenhe, the narrative director at Bad Guitar studio. “This is achieved by adhering to our fundamental concept: challenging norms and bending rules, which is evident in our art, story, and gameplay design.”
Right from its conception, Fragpunk was crafted with a global audience in mind. Fu credits mainstream media, particularly the Spider-Verse films, as inspiration for their blend of 2D and 3D art styles.
Yet, Fragpunk’s Spider-Verse influence is more than just a visual nod. Despite coming from distinct universes, the characters in the Spider-Verse share a sense of cohesion, something Fragpunk aspires to emulate—a world that feels instantly familiar yet intriguingly different. To maintain this intricate balance, the development team prioritizes a narrative-first approach to each character’s role within the game’s universe.
“We didn’t want to center solely on one character,” art director Li Yiming explains. “Our aim was to have a cohesive set of design principles across style, appearance, animation, skills, and color, allowing the characters to express their unique personalities within a unified art style.”
Fu continues, “We laid out the lore from the get-go, but of course, we’ll be continuously refining it throughout the game’s development. Our narrative team outlines the lore and character concepts, while the art team contributes design elements and suggestions. Then we collaboratively decide which concepts to develop further.”
Just as crucial as the characters are the maps and surroundings they navigate, often the most vivid expressions of the Shardverse’s multiple realities. While Fragpunk is at heart a competitive shooter, Bad Guitar has put effort into integrating classic map structures—transport depots full of explosive opportunities and crumbly temples with ample cover—into its unique style, always anchoring them within the Shardverse’s wider narrative context.
“We work in tandem with the map design team,” Fu describes. “We give them a broad theme to work with for player routes and objectives, while ensuring the narrative shapes the environment and its lore without imposing too many constraints, allowing for creativity.”
Upon completing a map design, the narrative team ensures each locale is equipped with distinct callouts and decorations, aligning them more closely with the game’s story while aiding player communication.
Though the appeal of parallel universes is apparent, particularly in a free-to-play hero shooter aiming for longevity with new characters, maps, and themes, it’s also a strategic advantage. Bad Guitar is candid about this, recognizing the fierce competition for player attention. The Shardverse offers a rich backdrop for Fragpunk’s action while facilitating diverse styles, Easter eggs, and lore-driven narratives linked to characters’ pasts or futures, all without resorting to the chaotic mashup seen in some live-service games.
“When designing the Shardverse, we did so with our hero shooter identity in mind, particularly with its punk art style,” Fu elaborates. “Punk art incorporates diverse design elements, so we wanted an inclusive world narrative to expand creatively.”
Li points out, “Our skins will offer varying levels of change. Lower-tier skins might just have color swaps, but higher-tier ones will include unexpected transformations, showcasing pivotal moments in a character’s history or future.”
Finally, Bad Guitar isn’t stopping at in-game storytelling. They intend to enrich Fragpunk’s lore through diverse media, including digital comics and animations, alongside engaging in-game storytelling.
“We are open to leveraging all kinds of media to delve into our game’s world,” Fu emphasizes. “In-game text and character voice lines offer story insight, complemented by out-of-game comics and trailers to enrich our narrative.”
For more insights on Fragpunk’s gameplay, which feels like a blend of popular shooters all at once, check out our preview featuring Bad Guitar’s creative director, Xin Chang.
Look for Fragpunk’s launch on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store this March 6th. The console versions for PlayStation and Xbox, however, will follow at a later date.
