How FragPunk Has Changed Since Its Playtests

FragPunk has undergone several playtests to improve itself and take player feedback into consideration. In an interview with The Best War Games, FragPunk creative director Xin Chang detailed the ways in which the game has changed thanks to these tests.

FragPunk has gone through a number of playtests, with an initial closed alpha running from June 27 to July 1, 2024. The game then went through a closed beta, which ran from October 10 to October 21, 2024. Thanks to these tests, FragPunk has undergone several changes, some of which have now been revealed.

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FragPunk's Changes Since The Playtests Explained

Quality-of-Life Improvements And New Cards

Chang focused on the quality-of-life enhancements that have come to FragPunk since its 2024 playtests. He also brought up how new Shard Cards will be included in the game's March release, on top of those featured in the playtest phases.

"We have made significant modifications to various functions based on feedback from players and the community during testing, and we have added a wealth of new content for the launch version. For example, we have created a variety of new Shard Cards, some of which are inspired by player feedback. We have also made multiple shooting experience enhancements, including slightly reducing the recoil of all firearms to improve their handling, also based on player feedback. Overall, the biggest change is that FragPunk will be more enjoyable and engaging to play at launch. New content will be released gradually leading up to the launch, so please stay tuned!"

On the subject of FragPunk's Shard Cards, Chang also elaborated on how the cards are being balanced for the final release. Some have complained about FragPunk's use of RNG when it relates to Shard Cards and, while Chang confirmed that this randomness is "inherent" to the experience, he also mentioned that the team did "notice that some less interesting cards appeared too frequently during testing. We are working on new mechanisms to solve this very problem." He also delved into the process the team undergoes when adding more cards to the existing experience.

"At the initial design stage of new Shard Cards, we involve our game designers, who are responsible for different modules to assess whether a card might disrupt the balance of combat, levels, and, of course, Lancers. Through this process, the development team aims to reach a consensus that a card's ability to bend the rules is kept in check. Additionally, our QA team will conduct various tests before a card's release to ensure it does not disrupt the game's balance."

FragPunk Into The Future

While Chang didn't delve too deep into FragPunk's post-release future, he did leave some food for thought by confirming some things. He re-emphasized that "FragPunk will operate on a seasonal basis, and we are currently planning content to be released in the latter half of 2025," in addition to some discussion of the game's upcoming narrative content.

"We are currently developing a more detailed narrative for the world of FragPunk, with the ambition of creating a "FragPunk Universe." The Lancers’ characters will also be unveiled gradually with our future updates."

FragPunk's cast of Lancers will be fleshed out in the future. This is pivotal for a hero shooter title, as attachment to character design and personality is essential to turning players into fans. An endearing cast helps anchor players in and builds attachment to an additional, narrative element of a title, proven by titles like Overwatch 2 and Apex Legends.

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