Shardbound will launch in public beta on Steam and Epic Games

Shardbound, a popular strategy card game based on Ethereum, will launch a public beta on October 9.

The game is developed by Bazooka Tango and is built on Ethereum’s Layer-2 Immutable zkEVM network. It will be available on Steam and Epic Games Store. While an end date for the beta has yet to be determined, this open beta phase will focus on gathering feedback to fine-tune gameplay ahead of a full release.

With the upcoming beta launch, developers hope to polish core elements while introducing blockchain integration, although some features will be limited due to platform limitations.

What is fragment binding?

Shardbound is a turn-based strategy game that blends elements of deck building and tactical combat, allowing players to create decks full of unique cards and use them to command troops on a grid-based battlefield. The game offers a variety of ways to win, such as through direct military combat or using economic strategies to defeat your opponents.

Originally developed by Spiritwalk Games, Shardbound launched into early access in 2017 after a successful crowdfunding campaign, but was never fully completed.

Bazooka Tango acquired the game in 2023 and has since been working to incorporate web3 elements, particularly through the use of NFTs that represent in-game cards.

What can we expect from the public beta?

Starting on October 9, the open beta will be available on Steam and the Epic Games Store.

A standout feature is that viewers will be able to join in the game, providing a more interactive experience. Bazooka Tango will use community feedback during this phase to enhance and fine-tune the game’s mechanics. The beta will remain open for an undetermined amount of time and will be continuously adjusted based on player feedback.

Although the game integrates blockchain technology, some functions will be limited due to the Steam platform’s restrictions on games that support NFT. Players can still obtain NFTs representing in-game cards through Immutable’s zkEVM network, but they must claim these NFTs via email codes or through Immutable’s wallet system.

More details about future NFT integration and long-term plans will be shared in the coming weeks.