How Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Influenced the Distinctive Style and Gameplay of the Sci-Fi FPS Fragpunk

The game, Fragpunk, traces its origins to a scenario many of us are familiar with: a cracked phone screen. This minor misfortune beautifully mirrors the game’s rebellious, dystopian vibe, but the symbolism runs deeper. In a world where so much of our lives revolve around our devices, a shattered screen signifies a fragmented world with diverse, yet interconnected perceptions of reality.

Welcome to Fragpunk’s Shardverse, a universe shattered by the enigmatic element Glunite. This material has bestowed incredible powers upon ordinary folks from alternate realities, but it also ensnared them, forcing reliance on this supernatural resource for survival. As Lancers, these individuals turn into mercenaries, battling across various Shards to clutch any Glunite available.

In Fragpunk, players are dealt Shard Cards between rounds. These cards enable Lancers to reshape their surroundings, either aiding themselves or hindering their foes. The modifications can be whimsical, like activating big head mode for opponents, or strategic game-changers such as opening a portal to an alternate map, effectively broadening the battlefield.

The multiverse concept in Fragpunk is more than just a visual treat; it’s integral to the gameplay dynamics.

“What sets our game apart is that no two rounds feel the same,” says Fu Wenhe, the narrative director at Bad Guitar studio. “Our core philosophy is to subvert conventions across art, narrative, and gameplay design.”

Fu adds, “From the outset, our vision was to craft a game for a global audience, drawing inspiration from mainstream media worldwide. Our art style, blending 2D and 3D, is reminiscent of the Spider-Verse films.”

Delving into Fragpunk, the Spider-Verse’s influence seems to go beyond visuals. Even with characters hailing from different universes, the harmonious blend within their world mirrors the cohesion seen in the Spider-Verse, presenting a familiar yet novel experience. Achieving this delicate balance involves a narrative-first strategy, anchoring each character firmly within the game’s world.

Li Yiming, the art director, elaborates, “We avoided spotlighting just one character. Our goal was to ensure that each one adhered to unified design principles while showcasing their unique traits.”

Fu adds, “The lore was foundational from the get-go, and we plan to expand it continuously. Our narrative team crafts the backstory and early character ideas, while the art team enriches these concepts with design details before jointly finalizing their development.”

The maps of Fragpunk are as pivotal as its characters, serving as visible fragments of the Shardverse. Although it stands as a competitive shooter, Fragpunk integrates well-known map styles into its own universe, accentuating their narrative relevance.

“Our collaboration with the map design team is symbiotic,” Fu explains. “We propose a theme, they devise the gameplay elements, and we sculpt the environment and lore. Our aim is to provide creative freedom while grounding designs in our narrative.”

Narrative designer Huang Jingsi adds, “In labeling maps, consistency with our lore was key, but we also wanted intuitive names for players. Familiar terms like ‘mid’, ‘A-side’, and ‘B-side’ emerged from this approach.”

Parallel universes in Fragpunk provide a narrative boon and a practical asset in the hero shooter and free-to-play arena. They support the game’s ongoing evolution with new characters and themes, keeping it fresh and exciting over time.

Fu explains, “Our Shardverse concept was deliberate. As a punk-styled hero shooter, it offers a vast canvas for design and future growth.”

“Skins will vary by rarity. Some will merely alter colors, while high-tier ones might reveal unexpected, story-rich designs,” Li notes.

Beyond just in-game cosmetics, Bad Guitar aims to enrich Fragpunk’s lore through diverse media forms. They’re considering digital graphic novels and animations alongside in-game storytelling to deepen the narrative.

“We’re ready to embrace various media to unfold our game’s lore,” Fu reveals. “In-game narratives, voice lines, comics, and animated trailers are all part of our storytelling arsenal.”

For a deeper dive into Fragpunk’s gameplay and its omnipresent shooter vibe, check out our preview and the interview with creative director Xin Chang.

Mark your calendars! Fragpunk hits PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store on March 6th, while the PlayStation and Xbox versions are slated for a later launch.