Shardbound to Launch Open Beta on Steam and Epic Games

Widespread Ethereum-based technique card recreation Shardbound is about to launch its Open Beta on October 9.

Developed by Bazooka Tango and constructed on Ethereum’s Layer-2 Immutable zkEVM community, the sport will likely be out there on each Steam and the Epic Video games Retailer. This open beta section will deal with gathering suggestions to fine-tune the gameplay forward of a full launch, although the beta’s finish date has not but been confirmed.

With its upcoming beta, the builders hope to refine core components while introducing blockchain integration, though some options will likely be restricted based mostly on platform restrictions.

What’s Shardbound?

Shardbound is a turn-based technique recreation that blends components of deck-building and tactical fight the place gamers create decks full of distinctive playing cards, which they use to command models on a grid-based battlefield. The sport provides a number of methods to win, reminiscent of by way of direct navy engagements or by using financial methods to outlast opponents.

Initially developed by Spiritwalk Video games, Shardbound launched in Early Entry in 2017 after a profitable crowdfunding marketing campaign however by no means reached full completion.

Bazooka Tango acquired the sport in 2023 and has since labored to include web3 components, notably by way of using NFTs that characterize in-game playing cards.

What can we anticipate from the Open Beta?

Starting October 9, the Open Beta will likely be out there on each Steam and the Epic Video games Retailer.

One standout characteristic is that viewers will be capable of be a part of mid-game, providing a extra interactive expertise. Bazooka Tango will use suggestions from the neighborhood throughout this section to boost and fine-tune the sport’s mechanics. The beta will stay open for an undetermined interval, with steady changes being made based mostly on participant enter.

While the sport is built-in with blockchain know-how, some options will likely be restricted on Steam as a result of platform’s restrictions towards NFT-enabled video games. Gamers will nonetheless be capable of get hold of NFTs representing in-game playing cards by way of Immutable’s zkEVM community, however they must declare these through e-mail codes or by way of Immutable’s pockets system.

Extra particulars on future NFT integration and long-term plans will likely be shared within the coming weeks.