FragPunk Reveals Beta Date and Two New Characters at Tokyo Game Show 2024

Key Takeaways

• FragPunk’s unique card-based mechanics offer variety and randomness that set it apart from other hero shooters.
• The FragPunk closed beta will run from October 10-21, allowing more players access to the game across various platforms.
• New playable characters like Sonar and Spider, along with strategic Shard Cards, add depth and complexity to FragPunk’s gameplay.

The ongoing 2024 Tokyo Game Show had more to reveal about NetEase Games’ upcoming hero shooter FragPunk, including the game’s next closed beta test schedule. The FragPunk trailer also dropped info about new playable Shard Cards coming to the test, as well as two more playable characters.

Despite some fatigue in the gaming audience over the seeming glut of new hero shooters entering the market, FragPunk appears to be gathering some attention for its innovative card game-based mechanics. On top of the unique gimmicks each playable “Lancer” character can wield, FragPunk Shard Card abilities allow for a level of variety and randomness that might trump other games in the same genre. Some card powers range from relatively prosaic enhancements like incendiary ammunition to cards that can change the layout of the level, flipping areas over to deny enemies a terrain advantage. The system could help set FragPunk apart from its competition.

With a new trailer aired during TGS 2024, NetEase Games and developer Bad Guitar shed more light on the next FragPunk closed beta. According to a beta FAQ on the official website, the FragPunk closed beta will October 10, 2024, and run through October 21 on both PC via Steam and Xbox Series X|S. Players can sign up via Steam or the Xbox Insider Hub app on their respective platforms. The new closed beta test will be open to a wider swathe of players across more regions and languages, opening up the pool for more to enjoy. The team also outlined two new playable Lancers being added to the closed beta roster: Spider and Sonar.

FragPunk Closed Beta Trailer Details New Cards, Sonar and Spider Playable Heroes

The FragPunk closed beta trailer outlined a few new cards that underscore the strategic nature of the Shard Card system. Some cards can be countered by others, such as when the flashbang-like Flashlight card’s screen-blanking effect is countered by the Safety Glasses card, which greatly reduces the effect and duration of such flash effects. Another card, Blade Master, can block bullets coming from the front, and in combination with the Turtleback card can offer nearly impenetrable defense from both front and back attacks.

The trailer also detailed two new playable Lancers: Sonar and Spider. With a marine animal-inspired design that also happens to make her look a bit like a World of Warcraft Draenei, Sonar can locate enemies and conceal her teammates by masking their movement noise. Spider seems to have the ability to warp himself or other players, giving him the ability to set up deadly traps and ambushes.

Despite its innovative mechanics and distinctive visual identity, FragPunk may have an uphill battle to gain attention against competitors saturating the hero shooter market of 2024. This year, players are practically swamped with high-quality hero shooters ranging from a resurgent Overwatch 2, to brand-enhanced titles like Marvel Rivals, and heavily-backed favorites like Valorant. Time and testing will have to show whether FragPunk can gain the attention needed to sustain itself in the longer term.