Neon Machine, the studio behind the highly anticipated blockchain-based extraction shooter Shrapnel, has announced significant leadership changes as it prepares for the game's free-to-play launch in 2025.
Ken Rosman, a seasoned veteran with two decades of experience in the video game industry, has been appointed as the new CEO. Mark Long, the co-founder and former CEO, will transition to an advisory role.
In his new position, Rosman will focus on executing the studio's vision for Shrapnel, which aims to redefine the traditional game development cycle. Alongside Rosman, Dave Johnson will take the helm of the Shrapnel project, while Don Norbury, the Chief Technology Officer, will oversee the development of the company’s Moonshot suite of Web3 game development tools.
Neon Machine is also embarking on a new fundraising round, led by the Blizzard Avalanche Ecosystem Fund, with participation from Griffin Gaming Partners and Polychain Capital. The studio plans to disclose full details of this funding round in the first quarter of 2025. This follows a previous successful fundraising effort in October 2023, where Neon Machine raised $20 million, primarily from Polychain Capital.
Shrapnel, which recently entered early access on the Epic Games Store, is designed as a first-person shooter that emphasizes resource extraction and competitive online gameplay. The game is built on the Avalanche blockchain, featuring a dedicated instance for its operations, and includes a live SHRAP token along with NFTs representing unique in-game assets, including player-designed items.
Neon Machine is currently involved in a legal dispute with its majority shareholder, Cort Javarone, CEO of investment firm 4D Factory. The studio's founders have alleged that Javarone staged a "coup" to take control of the studio, while Javarone has countered that the leadership has acted independently and refused to collaborate with the board. The studio has refrained from commenting on the current status of the lawsuit but has indicated that it hopes to provide an update in early 2025.
Despite the ongoing legal challenges, Neon Machine remains focused on developing a high-quality game. The leadership transition and the focus on execution are seen as essential steps in ensuring that Shrapnel meets the expectations of its player base and stands out in the competitive online shooter market.