Neon Machine Raises $20M for Blockchain-based Call of Duty Competitor 'Shrapnel'

Web3 gaming developer Neon Machine has secured $20 million in series A funding for the development of its highly-anticipated extraction shooter game, "Shrapnel."

Neon Machine, a web3 gaming developer, has raised $20 million in series A funding for its upcoming game, "Shrapnel." The funding will be used to further develop the game, which is being hailed as a AAA title. This latest funding round follows a $10.5 million seed round completed in June of this year. Leading the series A round is Polychain Capital, with participation from Griffin Gaming Partners, Brevan Howard Digital, Franklin Templeton, IOSG Ventures, and Tess Ventures.

Shrapnel: The AAA Game

Neon Machine describes "Shrapnel" as a AAA game, a term used to denote a video game with high production value, budget, and marketing. The game is a first-person perspective shooter (FPS) with multiplayer components. While it has yet to enter pre-alpha testing, gameplay footage on Neon Machine's YouTube page and information on the game's website show that it features "extraction" mechanics. Players will need to escape with any loot they find in order to keep those items.

Web3 and Blockchain Integration

What sets "Shrapnel" apart from other AAA games is its integration of Web3 technology and blockchain. While other games allow players to extract valuable items, "Shrapnel" takes it a step further by connecting these assets to the blockchain. This gives players full ownership over their in-game assets. Additionally, the game will include a modding toolset that could potentially allow players or developers to incorporate other blockchain assets into the game world, opening up possibilities for seasonal competitions and tournaments.

Release Timeline

Neon Machine plans to launch "Shrapnel" for early-access testing in December, exclusively for paid subscribers. After the initial evaluation period, the company intends to release the game as a free-to-play title sometime in 2024. In addition to the game's launch, Neon Machine also plans to license its Web3 developer's API platform, GameBridge, in the future.