How FragPunk’s Shard Cards Are Revolutionizing First-Person Shooters

We’re excited to share that FragPunk is launching on April 29, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S and the Xbox app on Windows PC, and it’s free-to-play! One of the standout features in FragPunk is its unique Shard Cards system. These cards introduce powerful gameplay modifiers that promise to add suspense and tactical variety to each match, shaking up the traditional first-person shooter experience for both new and seasoned players.

### Creating Unexpected Dynamics

The idea of integrating a card system into a first-person shooter (FPS) came from sports. Chang Xin, the producer of FragPunk, is a huge sports enthusiast. He noticed how rule changes in sports often aim to heighten suspense and unpredictability, engaging viewers more effectively. Take the popular King’s League in Europe, for instance, which spices up soccer with item elements, adding excitement to the game. Chang Xin saw potential in introducing a similar unpredictability to competitive FPS games, which often lack suspense and become repetitive. That’s where Shard Cards come in, injecting unexpected twists and enriching the tactical experience for everyone.

### Building Cards

Developing Shard Cards wasn’t without hurdles. The team at Bad Guitar Studio grappled with balancing the game while conceptualizing new cards. Initially, the focus was on letting players tweak game rules, tying the designs closely to basic mechanics. But this restricted creativity in designing new cards. Eventually, the team realized Shard Cards were meant to disrupt gameplay, not adhere to existing rules. This shift allowed for more creative card design. For instance, the “Dimensional Travel” card lets players move between two worlds. Initially, this meant complex level designs, but they pivoted to make players invisible to enemies, creating the illusion of two worlds.

### Balancing Fun and Competition

Some worry that the cards could affect the game’s competitive nature. However, the central aim is to heighten suspense and expand tactical choices, enriching player enjoyment. Core shooting skills remain vital, but cards introduce unexpected twists. Feedback from newer players showed that the card system brought refreshing diversity to the matches, making outcomes less predictable and enhancing their enjoyment—key for newcomers who often find traditional FPS games frustrating due to skill gaps.

Each card works within a tactical framework, letting players devise unexpected strategies. For instance, combining “Blade Master” with “Turtleback” allows blocking bullets from both directions. In ranked modes, only strategic cards are included, maintaining competitiveness with a ban-pick system that encourages strategic counterplay.

### Breaking the Rules

FragPunk offers various game modes, but it centers around the bomb defusal mode called Shard Clash. The design team sought to innovate this cherished FPS subgenre by introducing cards that revolutionize standard gameplay mechanics. Cards such as “Mission Bound” grant invincibility while planting, and “Throw to Plant” allows automatic planting, changing tactical strategies dramatically. With the Shard Card system, no two matches are alike, promising a unique gaming adventure.

FragPunk is coming to Xbox Series X|S and the Xbox app on Windows PC on April 29, 2025. Add it to your wish list and get ready for a rule-breaking experience! To learn more, visit our FragPunk product page and keep updated by following us on platforms like Discord, YouTube, and Instagram.