The long-awaited strategy card battler Shardbound, built on Ethereum’s Immutable zkEVM, is finally moving into open beta on October 9th. The game, often described as a mashup between Hearthstone and Fire Emblem, is making a comeback after years of development, landing on Steam and the Epic Games Store. Here’s the scoop.
How to Join the Open Beta
Starting October 9th, you’ll be able to access Shardbound through both Steam and Epic Games Store. That’s right—two of the biggest PC gaming platforms are hosting the beta. To join, all you need to do is download the game from either platform once the beta goes live.
The open beta doesn’t have a set end date just yet. Developers Bazooka Tango plan to keep it running for “as long as it needs to” in order to fine-tune the game and listen to player feedback. So, if you love helping shape a game’s development (and flexing your strategic muscles), this is your chance!
What to Expect in Shardbound
In Shardbound, players step into a richly detailed world where deck-building meets turn-based combat. Imagine a mix of tactical warfare, collectible card game mechanics, and RPG elements, all wrapped up in one beautiful package. Sound intriguing?
Each match in Shardbound offers different ways to secure victory. You can build aggressive decks for all-out combat, or you can play the long game and try for an economic win, much like in classic strategy titles like Sid Meier’s Civilization. Whether you’re looking to outsmart your opponent with clever plays or go full-throttle on the battlefield, there’s plenty of room for creativity.
The Return of Shardbound
If you feel like you’ve heard the name Shardbound before, you’re not wrong. The game first appeared in 2017 through a Kickstarter campaign. Originally built by Spiritwalk Games, it only made it to Early Access before the project fizzled out. Fast forward to last year, and Shardbound has been revived by Bazooka and Immutable Games, who added exciting web3 elements to the mix.
According to Bazooka Tango’s co-founder Stephan Sherman, the team has big plans for integrating blockchain tech into the game. Cards will be tradeable as NFTs on the Ethereum network, with a lot more to come in terms of web3 functionality.
But here’s the kicker: when Shardbound launches in open beta this week, there won’t be any NFT integration just yet. Instead, NFTs matching your in-game cards will be sent either directly to an Immutable Passport wallet or via redemption codes sent by email. The team wants to ensure that the web3 side of the game doesn’t overshadow the core gaming experience.
“We want to make sure every gamer that plays Shardbound has the same experiences and opportunities no matter what platform or storefront they find us,” said Sherman. And that means the beta is about refining gameplay for everyone, regardless of whether you’re into crypto or not.
A Fine-Tuned Web3 Strategy
Though Shardbound is designed with blockchain in mind, the team is carefully navigating the waters. Steam, for example, famously bans NFT games, which complicates things a bit. While the game will launch without NFTs fully enabled, the team at Bazooka is making sure they follow the rules of each platform while still offering something for crypto fans.
“I can’t reveal all the details just yet, but let’s just say it’s going to be a game-changer,” teased Sherman. The developers are keen to blow players’ minds with new features, but they’re playing their cards close to their chest for now.
The Journey So Far
The road to open beta has been a long one for Shardbound. The original Kickstarter backers were left with an unfinished Early Access game, but things are finally coming together. With a solid foundation built on strategy and tactical gameplay, combined with the promise of NFTs and web3 integration, Shardbound is poised for an epic comeback.
And the beta is just the start. Bazooka Tango’s CEO, Bo Daly, who has followed Shardbound’s progress since its Kickstarter days, said he’s excited to be part of breathing new life into the game. Seven years after its initial crowdfunding effort, Shardbound is finally stepping into its next phase, ready to thrill both OG and newcomers alike.
Community Perks and What’s Next
With over 100,000 members in Shardbound’s community, Bazooka Tango has been building plenty of hype leading up to the beta. Early supporters who join the beta will have a chance to earn in-game rewards, which could evolve over time as the developers continue to update the game.
As part of the lead-up to the beta, Shardbound is offering special Open Beta Rewards, such as free playable cards, which players can unlock through activities like completing the official Gleam campaign or joining the let-me-play channel on Discord.
But that’s not all. Bazooka is already planning future updates for Shardbound, with big changes coming to cards, stability improvements, and even vaulted cards that will return better than ever. Oh, and your progress? It’s sticking around—no resets after Open Beta!
