Shrapnel Raises $19.5M to Expand Globally and Enter China

Seattle-based studio Neon Machine is making waves in the blockchain gaming world with its flagship shooter, Shrapnel. Backed by a fresh $19.5 million funding round led by Gala Games, the project is gearing up for a global rollout and a strategic push into China—a move that could reshape how blockchain shooters reach mainstream audiences.

Big Funding for a Big Vision

The $19.5 million investment came in two rounds, with Gala Games, Griffin Gaming Partners, and Polychain Capital leading the charge. The funds will accelerate Shrapnel’s international release and pave the way for a localized, compliant version in China.

A closed beta for the Chinese market is planned for late 2025, with a full open release expected in early 2026. The global launch will continue in parallel, ensuring players worldwide get access to the game’s signature high-intensity FPS action.

Joining the Gala Games Ecosystem

Shrapnel’s shift to the Gala Games ecosystem marks a major strategic move. By fully migrating to GalaChain, Neon Machine aligns itself with Gala’s vision of true player-owned economies—a core principle in the evolution of blockchain games.

CEO Ken Rosman summed it up:

“This funding is a testament to Shrapnel’s potential to deliver an action-packed FPS experience that empowers true ownership. We’re excited to align with Gala’s player-first, community-driven approach.”

A Historic Push into China

Perhaps the most groundbreaking aspect of this expansion is Shrapnel’s entry into China’s Trusted Copyright Chain (TCC)—the first foreign Web3 title to gain such approval.

Here’s why it matters:

• 600+ million gamers in China could now gain access.

• Real RMB trading for in-game assets will be possible.

• Cross-chain bridges will link GalaChain to TCC for legal asset transfers.

• Government-backed legal ownership ensures player rights are recognized.

The partnership with TCC also includes working alongside Lingjing Game Labs, the digital division of People’s Daily, to handle local distribution, asset minting, marketplace moderation, and compliance.

From Avalanche to GalaChain

Neon Machine’s move from Avalanche to GalaChain is more than a simple chain swap—it’s a calculated step toward global and regulatory compatibility.

Key details include:

• SHRAP token migration from Avalanche to GalaChain.

• GALA token used for gas fees across global and Chinese versions.

• Consistent gameplay across regions, with separate servers for compliance.

• Up to 10% of China revenue going toward SHRAP buybacks to support token liquidity.

This ensures that while players in different jurisdictions get compliant experiences, the core economy and gameplay loop stay intact.

Real Digital Ownership with Legal Backing

What sets Shrapnel apart from most blockchain games is the legal recognition of its in-game assets in China. Thanks to the TCC integration, items like skins, weapons, and gear are treated as legally owned property—a first for many international blockchain titles.

This means:

• Players can mint, trade, and track assets on-chain.

• Ownership is protected under Chinese law.

• Cross-border copyright systems allow for global circulation.

As TCC representatives put it:

“Copyright is a global consensus. Based on this, we can ensure compliant cross-border copyright circulation and show the value of blockchain in asset protection.”

What Is Shrapnel?

Shrapnel isn’t just another shooter—it’s a free-to-play extraction FPS blending fast-paced action with deep strategy. Players enter The Sacrifice Zone to collect Sigma, a powerful meteorite-derived resource that boosts abilities.

Game features include:

• Dynamic environments with meteor showers and moving loot.

• High-stakes extractions where death means losing your haul.

• Team-based tactics for both casual and competitive players.

• On-chain assets that can be traded or sold.

The game’s early access phase in 2024 saw players complete 3.7 million matches in just 27 days, proving strong engagement even before the full launch.

A Tumultuous Yet Promising Journey

Neon Machine’s road to this point hasn’t been without challenges. Leadership changes saw industry veteran Ken Rosman take over as CEO in December 2024, following disputes with major shareholder 4D Factory.

Despite legal hurdles in 2023, the studio secured critical funding—first from the Blizzard Avalanche Ecosystem Fund, and now through Gala Games and other investors—positioning Shrapnel for a strong 2025–2026 growth phase.

GalaChain’s Role in the Bigger Picture

GalaChain isn’t just a network—it’s a Layer 1 solution built for games, media, and DeFi, offering low, fixed $GALA gas fees and a robust global node infrastructure.

By linking GalaChain with China’s TCC, Shrapnel is helping establish a cross-border bridge for legal, secure, and compliant asset movement—something that could benefit future blockchain titles looking to reach global audiences.

Looking Ahead

With public playtests resuming soon on the Epic Games Store, the world will get more chances to test Shrapnel’s blend of tactical FPS gameplay and blockchain-driven ownership. The global version will continue development alongside the localized Chinese release, which could become one of the most significant Web3 gaming launches in history.

If successful, Shrapnel won’t just be a win for Neon Machine—it could set a precedent for how blockchain games enter massive markets while respecting both regulatory rules and player rights.