"Shrapnel" Raises $20 Million in Series A Financing for Its AAA Blockchain Game

Can "Shrapnel" Challenge the Console Gaming Giants?

The race to develop a top-tier AAA blockchain video game that rivals popular console titles like Playstation and Xbox has been heating up, with "Shrapnel" leading the charge. Neon Machine, the company behind "Shrapnel," has secured $20 million in Series A financing, with Polychain Capital at the forefront. Notably, Griffin Gaming Partners, Brevan Howard Digital, Franklin Templeton, IOSG Ventures, and Tess Ventures also joined in this funding round.

A First-Person Shooter Game in the Style of Call of Duty

"Shrapnel" positions itself as a first-person shooter game that draws inspiration from the wildly successful Call of Duty franchise. Developed using Unreal Engine 5, the game is poised to make its debut in December, initially for paid users, before transitioning to a free-to-play model available to the general public in 2024.

Timing Is Crucial

Neon Machine emphasized the critical timing of this funding round as they prepare for incremental playable releases over the coming months. Among the notable upcoming milestones is the launch of the Shrapnel Marketplace, offering in-game items for purchase and trade. Furthermore, the company is focused on expanding its creator tools, enabling players to craft skins, maps, and other in-game assets.

With a team that boasts experience in developing games for renowned brands such as Halo, Call of Duty, and Star Wars, "Shrapnel" has an ambitious vision. CEO Mark Long articulated the goal of creating a "blockbuster-quality shooter where players truly own and create game assets."

Competing in the AAA Blockchain Gaming Arena

While "Shrapnel" is a strong contender in the blockchain gaming space, it's not the only project vying for a breakthrough in the AAA gaming category. Titles like "Illuvium" and "Star Atlas" are also aiming to deliver top-tier gameplay within the blockchain ecosystem.

The funding injection from this Series A round undoubtedly puts "Shrapnel" in a solid position to make waves in the blockchain gaming arena and challenge the dominance of console giants. Will "Shrapnel" live up to its aspirations and redefine gaming as we know it? Only time will tell.