New Free-to-Play Shooter FragPunk Takes Steam by Storm with Record-Breaking Launch

The free-to-play first-person hero shooter FragPunk has made an explosive debut on Steam, quickly becoming one of the platform’s most popular titles. Developed by Bad Guitar Studio, a subsidiary of NetEase’s Thunder Fire Studio, FragPunk has already achieved remarkable success, peaking at over 110,000 concurrent players in early March 2025. This strong start has not only solidified its position as a standout title in the competitive hero shooter genre but has also translated into significant revenue, with the game ranking among Steam’s top sellers.

A Colorful Hero Shooter with Competitive Appeal

FragPunk pits two teams of five players against each other in fast-paced, visually vibrant matches. The game’s unique art style and hero-based mechanics have drawn comparisons to popular titles like Overwatch and Valorant, but FragPunk carves out its own niche with a blend of innovative gameplay and a fresh aesthetic. Following successful closed alpha and beta tests between June and October 2024, the game officially launched on PC via Steam on March 6, 2025.

Record-Breaking Player Numbers

Within just three days of its release, FragPunk set a new concurrent player record every day, culminating in a peak of 113,946 players on March 9. This impressive milestone placed it as the 16th most popular game on Steam at the time, a remarkable achievement for a new IP in the crowded free-to-play market. The game’s steady growth in player numbers highlights its ability to capture and retain audience interest, a critical factor for long-term success in the live-service gaming space.

Overcoming Early Criticism with “Mostly Positive” Reviews

While FragPunk faced initial backlash over its aggressive monetization strategy—which includes two membership tiers, premium battle passes, and nine different in-game currencies—the game has since seen a significant improvement in its Steam user reviews. Launching with a “Mixed” rating, the game’s score shifted to “Mostly Positive” within 72 hours, currently sitting at a 71.15% approval rate based on 10,206 reviews.

This turnaround suggests that while some players were initially put off by the monetization model, many others found the core gameplay compelling enough to overlook these concerns. Additionally, the influx of positive reviews in the days following launch indicates that early critics may have moved on, leaving a more satisfied player base to shape the game’s reputation.

Monetization Success: A Top Seller on Steam

Despite the controversy surrounding its monetization, FragPunk has proven to be a financial success. The game currently ranks sixth on Steam’s Top Sellers list, trailing only heavyweights like Counter-Strike 2, Monster Hunter Wilds, and the Steam Deck. This ranking reflects overall in-game spending, underscoring the effectiveness of FragPunk’s revenue model, even if it remains a point of contention among some players.

The game’s financial performance is particularly noteworthy given its free-to-play nature, as it relies entirely on in-game purchases and battle passes to generate revenue. Its ability to compete with established franchises and hardware like the Steam Deck speaks volumes about its early momentum and market appeal.

A Multiplatform Future?

While FragPunk is currently available on Steam and the Epic Games Store, its console release has been delayed. Originally planned as a day-one multiplatform launch, the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions were postponed at the last minute. Bad Guitar Studio has yet to announce a new release date for these ports, leaving console players eagerly awaiting their chance to join the action.

The delay, while disappointing for some, may ultimately benefit the game by allowing the developers to refine the console experience based on player feedback from the PC version. A successful console launch could further boost FragPunk’s player base and revenue, solidifying its position as a major player in the hero shooter genre.

Looking Ahead

FragPunk’s strong start on Steam is a testament to its engaging gameplay, striking visual design, and effective marketing. However, the game’s long-term success will depend on how well Bad Guitar Studio addresses player concerns, particularly regarding monetization, while continuing to deliver fresh content and updates.

With its current momentum, FragPunk has the potential to become a staple in the competitive shooter scene. As the developer works on expanding its reach to consoles and refining the player experience, the future looks bright for this colorful and chaotic hero shooter.

For now, FragPunk stands as a shining example of how a well-executed free-to-play title can make a splash in the gaming industry, even in the face of initial skepticism. Whether it can maintain this momentum remains to be seen, but its early achievements are undeniably impressive.