Shrapnel Raises $19.5M to Fuel Global Launch

Tortola, British Virgin Islands, August 13th, 2025 – Neon Machine, the Seattle-based studio behind the award-winning FPS Shrapnel, today announced it has secured a $19.5 million investment in two funding rounds. The most recent round was led by Gala Games, with participation from existing investors Griffin Gaming Partners and Polychain Capital. The investment will fuel game development and support Shrapnel’s upcoming global launch and launch in China – closed access coming later in 2025, followed by open access in early 2026.

Neon Machine now transitions to Gala Games’ ecosystem, celebrated for its vibrant community and commitment to player-driven innovation.

This announcement comes just months after Neon Machine secured a landmark partnership with China, establishing Shrapnel as the first licensed web3 game approved for launch on the nation’s Trusted Copyright Chain. This milestone not only opens access to China’s massive gaming market, including real RMB trading and cross-chain bridging, but also demonstrates Neon’s commitment to empowering player-owned economies.

At the heart of it all is Shrapnel – a free-to-play, team-based FPS blending tactical objective-based gameplay with digital ownership. Players step into the role of fearless Operators in The Sacrifice Zone, where two teams compete to collect Sigma – a powerful resource from meteor storms that enhances player abilities. In 27 days of paid Early Access in 2024, Shrapnel players battled each other in over 3.7M sessions. Dynamic elements include shifting meteor showers, mobile stockpiles, Sigma theft from enemies, fast respawns, and tactical tools like Sigma grenades for area denial.

The funds arrive at an important time for web3 gaming, with the market projected to reach $301.53 billion by 2030. This investment supports Neon Machine’s continued efforts to contribute meaningfully to the growth and innovation of the space. The studio is grateful for this support, which underscores investor confidence in Shrapnel’s mission to connect players through smooth, fun, and community-focused gameplay and cross-chain accessibility. Public playtests are set to continue soon, offering players a glimpse into Shrapnel’s evolving world.