Ethereum-Based Card Game ‘Shardbound’ Launches Open Beta!

Shardbound blends deck-building and tactical combat in its open beta, with future plans for Web3 integration.

Shardbound, a strategy card game built on Ethereum’s layer-2 scaling network Immutable zkEVM, is launching its open beta on October 9, 2024, across major platforms Steam and the Epic Games Store. This highly anticipated release marks a new chapter for the game, which began its development journey in 2017 through a Kickstarter campaign. Now, with the involvement of developers Bazooka Tango and publisher Immutable Games, Shardbound is stepping into the blockchain gaming scene, although its initial launch will not feature direct NFT integration.

The game combines popular elements of deck-building, card-collecting, and turn-based battlefield tactics, creating a rich, strategic gameplay experience. Often described as a mix between Hearthstone and Fire Emblem, Shardbound adds role-playing elements and multiple paths to victory, allowing players to either focus on military conquest or pursue strategic, economic goals. This multi-faceted approach to gameplay is reminiscent of classic strategy games like Sid Meier’s Civilization, offering players various ways to dominate the battlefield.

Although built on blockchain technology, Shardbound’s initial open beta will not integrate NFTs directly due to platform restrictions on Steam and Epic Games. However, players will still be able to collect NFTs corresponding to their in-game cards. These digital assets will either be sent to a connected Immutable Passport wallet or claimable via an emailed redemption code. Bazooka Tango and Immutable Games have emphasized that they are taking a cautious approach to introducing Web3 elements, ensuring they comply with platform rules while maintaining a seamless player experience across both blockchain and traditional gaming platforms.

The developers, led by Bazooka Tango co-founder and CTO Stephan Sherman, have kept the duration of the open beta flexible, allowing time for community feedback and iterative improvements. The focus during this phase will be on refining gameplay mechanics based on user experiences, ensuring the game reaches its full potential before an official release.

Shardbound’s journey has been a long one. Originally developed by Spiritwalk Games and funded through Kickstarter in 2017, the project struggled to move beyond an incomplete “Early Access” release. Last year, Bazooka Tango and Immutable Games acquired the rights and have since revitalized the game, incorporating blockchain technology to offer new features, including the ability to trade cards as NFTs and upgrade them to match different play styles.

While details on the full extent of Web3 integration remain under wraps, the developers have hinted at exciting upcoming features. With Shardbound’s current mechanics and future potential, the game represents a significant moment for blockchain gaming, as it moves toward mainstream platforms without sacrificing the unique advantages of Web3 technology.

As the open beta launches, Shardbound offers an exciting glimpse into the future of blockchain-based gaming, bringing Ethereum-powered mechanics to major gaming platforms. While NFT integration remains on the horizon, the game’s foundation in strategic depth and its dedication to player feedback have set the stage for a full release that could bridge the gap between traditional and blockchain gaming.

photo source / Blockonome