Ethereum Card Game ‘Shardbound’ Enters Open Beta on Major Gaming Platforms

TLDR

• Shardbound, an Ethereum strategy card game, enters open beta on October 9
• Available on Steam and Epic Games Store without NFT integration initially
• Blends deck-building, card-collecting, and turn-based battlefield elements
• NFTs will be available separately, with plans for future in-game integration
• Originally crowdfunded in 2017, now revived with Web3 elements by new developers

Shardbound, a strategy card game built on the Ethereum layer-2 scaling network Immutable zkEVM, is set to enter open beta on October 9, 2024.

The game will be available on both Steam and the Epic Games Store, marking a significant step in its development journey that began with a Kickstarter campaign in 2017.

Developed by Bazooka Tango and published by Immutable Games, Shardbound combines elements of deck-building and card-collecting games with turn-based battlefield fighting.

The game has been described as a blend of popular titles like Hearthstone and Fire Emblem, with additional role-playing elements.

One of Shardbound’s key features is its multiple paths to victory. Players can craft decks focused on all-out war for a military victory or prepare for more strategic approaches to achieve an economic victory.

This mechanic is reminiscent of the classic strategy series Sid Meier’s Civilization, offering players diverse strategies to explore.

The open beta period will run for an undefined length of time. Bazooka Tango co-founder and CTO Stephan Sherman explained that the duration will depend on community feedback and how quickly the team can adapt and improve the game.

While Shardbound is built on blockchain technology, the initial release on Steam and Epic Games Store will not include direct NFT integration due to platform restrictions.

However, players will receive NFTs that match their in-game cards, either sent to a connected Immutable Passport wallet or claimable via an emailed redemption code.

The developers have stated that they are carefully crafting their Web3 strategy to ensure compliance with platform rules while maintaining a consistent player experience across all platforms.

More details about future in-game NFT integration are expected to be shared in the coming weeks.

Shardbound’s journey to this point has been long and winding. Originally funded through Kickstarter in 2017, the game only resulted in an incomplete “Early Access” release by Spiritwalk Games.

Bazooka Tango and Immutable Games acquired the rights to the game last year and began working on adding Web3 elements to revitalize the project.

The game allows players to trade cards as NFTs and upgrade them to suit different play styles. However, the full extent of the planned Web3 implementation remains under wraps, with Sherman hinting at exciting developments to come.

As the open beta launches, the developers are focusing on gathering player feedback and rapidly iterating on the game. They aim to create the best possible experience before moving to a full release.

The launch of Shardbound’s open beta represents a significant moment in the blockchain gaming space, as it brings a Web3 game to major traditional gaming platforms.

While the initial release will not feature direct NFT integration, it sets the stage for potential future developments that could bridge the gap between conventional and blockchain-based gaming.

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