FragPunk: Will it become a new esports title?
A new tactical hero first-person shooter, FragPunk, entered the gaming world last March 6, 2025. NetEase, a popular gaming company known for its hit game Marvel Rivals, announced the console release date of the game. With the current gameplay and support for PCs and consoles, will it be the next new esports title?
5v5 matchups
Like most shooter games, FragPunk features a 5v5 competitive match-up in a ‘defuse the bomb’ format called Shard Clash. In this game mode, one team attacks the bomb site while the other defends. To win, either eliminate the enemy team or finish your objective. Different game modes, such as team deathmatch and infection, are also available for players.
Multi-platform crossplay
The PC version of FragPunk was released earlier this year, while the console version is to be released on April 29. After the console edition is live, cross-play between platforms will be allowed. Some disagree about the crossplay compatibility, but both versions will be balanced.
However, if FragPunk plays in the esports scene, players would likely opt for the PC version instead of the console version—although the controller division might be available for players who prefer otherwise.
Highly competitive gameplay
FragPunk combines several games into one, making it an enjoyable, high-octane match that many people loved upon release. The gameplay is highly competitive and allows you to choose different Lancers (in-game playable characters) to play with.
The game mixes the tactical aspects of Counter-Strike and Call of Duty with the fantasy world of Valorant. Every Lancer has unique capabilities that you can utilise to defeat the opposing team, similar to games like Overwatch and Valorant, which are already esports titles.
Fresh features
Despite sounding like a clone of the mentioned games, FragPunk feels fresh due to its Shard Card feature. This allows players to collect and use cards to power up the team or give them silly abilities like laying eggs. This twist on traditional hero shooter mechanics gives the game a unique flavour, setting it apart from other titles.
If you are familiar with similar games, you won’t struggle playing FragPunk. It has the exact mechanics of most competitive titles, but the gunplay, environmental mechanics, colours, and sound design all fit the fresh theme the game tries to portray.
Discover FragPunk’s esports potential
Since many titles of a similar genre are already on the esports scene, FragPunk would highly likely have a dedicated esports tournament. The game has the formula for a competitive scene, plus the brand-new features can entice esports athletes to push for its adoption.
As it becomes more mainstream and its competitive gameplay becomes more popular, FragPunk will likely have its own esports scene.
