The inspiration behind Fragpunk came from a scenario many of us regret: a cracked phone screen. While most would see it as a simple mishap, the game’s creators saw an illustration of a society simultaneously rebellious and dystopian—the same essence Fragpunk was destined to embody. However, this metaphor extends further. In a world where our lives are intertwined with our devices, a fragmented screen symbolizes a splintered reality, where different perceptions of the same world coexist, yet remain distinct.
Fragpunk unfolds in the Shardverse, a universe fragmented by a peculiar element known as Glunite. This substance bestows extraordinary powers upon ordinary individuals from alternate realities, but it also binds their survival to its mystical properties. These empowered individuals, known as Lancers, operate as mercenaries fighting across various Shards in search of Glunite.
Between battles, players receive Shard Cards that allow Lancers to manipulate the world to their favor or to hinder their opponents. These cards can spark humorous situations, such as initiating a big head mode for the opposing team, or cause significant changes, like creating portals to parallel versions of the map, which effectively doubles the game space. Thus, Fragpunk’s multiverse not only shapes the game’s visuals but also profoundly influences its gameplay.
“We strive to make each round of Fragpunk unique,” shares Fu Wenhe, the game’s narrative director at Bad Guitar studio. “Our mission has been to challenge norms and bend rules, which is evident in every facet of our designs, from art and narrative to gameplay.”
“Our goal was to create an experience for players worldwide,” Fu continues. “We drew many concepts from global mainstream media, such as the mix of 2D and 3D art styles influenced by the Spider-Verse films.”
But this Spider-Verse influence in Fragpunk isn’t just about looks. While the characters hail from diverse universes, much like the Spider-Verse style, they maintain a cohesive harmony within their world, despite their varied origins. Fragpunk aspires to embody this unity, striking a balance between familiarity and novelty within its world. To achieve this, the development team adopts a narrative-first approach, ensuring each character’s role feels integral to the game.
“We didn’t want to spotlight just one character,” says Li Yiming, the art director. “We aimed for consistency across all characters in terms of logic, style, appearance, and skills while ensuring individuality shines within a unified art style.”
Fu adds, “Though we established the game’s lore early on, we plan to evolve it as development continues. The narrative team starts with the character ideas, which the art team then expands into design elements. Together, we decide which concepts to pursue.”
Fragpunk’s richly designed maps and environments are as vital as its characters. These spaces highlight the Shardverse’s realities, giving physical presence to its narrative. Despite being a competitive shooter, the team at Bad Guitar has infused classic map archetypes—such as transport depots and ancient temples—with Fragpunk’s unique style and narrative integration.
“Our map design process parallels our narrative work,” Fu explains. “We provide a theme, and the map team designs the layout. Narrative then anchors these maps in the Shardverse, providing settings and backstory without imposing limitations, allowing creative freedom.”
Huang Jingsi, a narrative designer, elaborates, “After map layouts receive narrative names and details consistent with Fragpunk’s lore, we also ensure players can easily navigate and communicate these environments during play, using familiar terms like ‘mid,’ ‘A-side,’ or ‘B-side.'”
The Shardverse isn’t just a narrative device; it serves a practical function in the evolving dynamics of a hero shooter. In a genre fueled by new characters and seasonal updates, its concept permits the seamless introduction of diverse fashion styles, references, and narrative moments. Fragpunk aims to marry serious lore with a vibrant presentation that sets it apart from the typical mishmash in live-service games.
“Our vision for the Shardverse was to create an inclusive lore and world view,” Fu notes. “This approach not only enriches our design but supports future development with a variety of skins showcasing character story moments.”
Li adds, “Our skin designs will have tiers, starting with simple color changes to elaborate designs reflecting pivotal character stories or traits, aiming to captivate players with varying styles—be it cool, humorous, or surprising.”
Beyond cosmetics, Bad Guitar seeks to expand Fragpunk’s lore across various media. The game sets a narrative foundation through environmental storytelling and character interaction, while digital graphic novels and animations are planned to deepen its universe.
“We aim to explore and express our game’s lore through diverse media,” Fu says. “In-game, we blend text, voice lines, and more, while outside, we utilize comics and animation to enrich our storytelling.”
Curious about how Fragpunk feels and plays? Check out our preview and a detailed interview with Bad Guitar’s creative director, Xin Chang, for insights into why this shooter feels refreshingly familiar yet distinct.
Mark your calendars for March 6th, when Fragpunk launches on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. Console players on PlayStation and Xbox will need to wait a bit longer for their version.
