| (Image Source: PinoyGamer.ph/NetEase Games) |
NetEase Games, the online games division of NetEase Inc., and Bad Guitar Studio announced during the gamescom 2024 Xbox Broadcast that registrations are open for FragPunk's upcoming closed beta test on Steam and Xbox which is set to go live in early October. Interested players can head over to the game's Steam page or to the Xbox insider program to register. Compared with the previous Alpha Test, this Beta Test will be opened to a wider range of players across Europe, North America, Latin America, Japan, and South Korea.
The test will feature an array of new and improved features, including heroes, cards and modes with more details on the new content coming later on September. It will also be the first time the game is available on Xbox with cross-play allowing players of both platforms to compete with each other. The first official gameplay trailer for FragPunk was also released at the event, highlighting the game's Shard Card mechanics and their numerous effects and interactions with one another. Moreover, the trailer showed the unique tiebreaker mechanic, Duel Mode.
Aside from its appearance in the official gameplay trailer, a recent segment on Shroud's YouTube channel showcased FragPunk's tiebreaker Duels. The tie-breaker mechanic occurs in a match when both teams are tied at three round victories each. To decide the winner, a series of 1v1 duel gunfights play out, with each player facing an opponent with a single life. The player who wins moves on to fight the next competitor, making it possible for one team member to carry the entire squad to victory.
FragPunk's popularity kept progressing between its reveal and following Closed Alpha test in June. The amount of test applications has exceeded the team's expectations and, in turn, provided them with valuable feedback. Players and streamers who were invited to the Closed Alpha praised its unique aesthetics and its engaging gameplay loop which kept the pressure on thanks to the ever-changing nature of shard cards. In addition, FragPunk has recently shown a video featuring stunning visuals made in collaboration with NVIDIA to showcase the game's graphical quality, allowing for raytracing and NVIDIA DLSS 3 with Frame Generation. Even in the closed beta, the game's cast of heroic Punks are going into battle looking as good as possible. This is a satisfyingly enough reason why the upcoming closed beta test starting on early October is the ideal way to experience the game early and learn the ropes.
Published by NetEase Games and developed by Bad Guitar Studio for Xbox consoles and PC, FragPunk is an upcoming 5v5 Tactical Hero Shooter where players can change the game's rules with new Shard Cards drawn every round of every match. No two rounds of combat are the same, thanks to special hero abilities, various choices of weapons, and a rotating selection of Shard Cards that impact your team, your weapons and even the weather, letting you turn the tables on your foes.
