Shrapnel Unveils Combat Fixes, Economy Tweaks, and $19.5M Boost

Key Takeaways

• Shrapnel has launched a monthly dev blog to share ongoing progress as it moves toward public release in Q1 2026.
• The first update highlights major changes to weapons, hit detection, UI, audio, and game economy.
• The game is also transitioning to GalaChain for global expansion, with a $19.5 million funding boost to support development and launch.

Shrapnel Starts Monthly Dev Blog Updates

Blockchain FPS game Shrapnel has started a new monthly dev blog series to keep players updated on its progress toward public launch in early 2026. The team behind the game, Neon Machine, said this series will share what’s happening behind the scenes as they improve different areas like weapons, maps, audio, and gameplay systems.

The first entry, released in September, focuses on testing and refining new updates. Every change is still being reviewed, and more adjustments will come based on internal tests and player feedback.

Source: X

Weapon Recoil and Combat Overhaul

One of the biggest changes in this update is the new recoil system. Random horizontal recoil has been removed and replaced with a fixed pattern for each gun. Players can now learn these patterns and improve control during fights.

Other tweaks include better accuracy for the first bullet fired, except for shotguns. Crouching or aiming down sights will also reduce recoil, giving players more ways to control weapon behavior. The system is still being tested to make sure it feels balanced and fair across all guns.

Hit Detection and Performance Fixes

The developers have also focused on improving how bullets hit targets. After getting community feedback, they rebuilt the hit detection system. It now processes shots more accurately between the client and server, reducing lag and improving response time.

A new feature called bullet pooling reuses bullet data during combat instead of creating new ones each time. This change helps the game run smoother, especially in large-scale firefights. The team is currently testing this system live to ensure it performs well in real matches.

Source: X

The update also brings several quality-of-life changes to the interface and sound design. Players will now hear new in-game announcements like “Storm incoming.” Audio for team activities such as canister drops and steal attempts has been tuned to stand out more during matches.

In the UI section, the reticle and hit marker designs are being tested. Crosshair alignment issues have been fixed, and item icons fade when centered on screen to keep visuals clear. Dropped items like ammo and grenades now disappear after a short time to reduce clutter and boost performance.

New Operator and Map Upgrades

A new Operator named Doug, also called The Rookie, has been added. He will serve as the default character for players who don’t own another Operator.

Lighting and visibility on night maps have been improved, and minor issues such as interior clutter and collision problems were fixed. These visual updates aim to polish the game before its launch. The team is also preparing new weapon skins, charms, and other cosmetic items for upcoming builds.

Source: X

The dev team has been testing the new player experience to see how newcomers progress through Shrapnel. The test looked at mission pacing, Operator unlocks, and reward flow. Doug will be the starting character for players entering the game for the first time.

Shrapnel’s in-game economy also received attention. Developers reviewed Extraction Pack contents and made updates to the METAL points system, which governs how resources are earned and spent. They’re also preparing for an audit and refining how rewards and mission systems work. The Genesis Operator NFT collection is being reviewed for future use.

Shrapnel’s dev blog follows a year of big moves. Earlier in 2025, it became the first foreign web3 game approved on China’s Trusted Copyright Chain, allowing legal sales of tokenized items in the region.

In July, Neon Machine announced it would move the game from Avalanche to GalaChain, a decision meant to support its global and Chinese operations. The SHRAP token now runs on GalaChain, while gas fees are paid in GALA, Gala Games’ native token. Up to 10% of China-based revenue will be used to buy back SHRAP from the open market.

Funding and Expansion Plans

Neon Machine raised $19.5 million in investment in August. Gala Games led the round, with assistance from Griffin Gaming Partners and Polychain Capital. The money will be used to finish the game's development and release it globally.

By the end of 2025, a localized Chinese version is anticipated to appear, and in Q1 2026, the whole worldwide version will follow. Players in China will be able to legally own and trade in-game assets thanks to an agreement with Lingjing Game Labs.