The first early access version of Shrapnel will be playable this week via the Epic Games Store

Upcoming Extraction Shooter game Shrapnel will soon be playable in early access on the Epic Games Store. But it will only be available on certain dates, so you’ll have to be quick if you want to get started.

Shrapnel Training Exercises One (STX1) is the first in a series of playable game releases that will be available to players closer to ShrapnelThe full release of , which is currently scheduled for 2025. Although it could take a while, the shooter invites players to get involved now so that their feedback can shape its development.

This first version will be playable on February 8, 9 and 10 between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. PT (4 p.m. to 12 a.m. ET / 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. GMT, which is equivalent to 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. AEDT on February 9, 10 and 11). It will allow players to try out one of the game‘s characters at their maximum progression level, test three different weapons, a grenade, as well as a special “Sigma ability” called Sigma Wave.

Although Shrapnel will be free when launched. To play these early access releases, players must purchase an “Extraction Pack”. Currently, there are three available, costing $19.99, $49.99 or $99.99 respectively (approximately £15.96, £39.91 or £79.82), depending on which one you choose. All three provide access to STX builds when available – the more expensive packs simply grant access to more items, consumable packs, and skins (the most expensive also comes with an Extraction Pack to give away to a friend).

It’s worth noting that, as the Epic Games Store pointed out, Shrapnel uses blockchain technology, which is often negatively received due to its heavy environmental impact. According to ShrapnelIt is website, players will eventually be able to create in-game content (such as skins and cards) which can then be minted as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and listed on the marketplace. The in-game economy uses “SHRAP tokens,” which the website describes as “ERC-20 tokens created on Avalanche’s C-chain, contributed to the system.” Shrapnel subnet to use. ShrapnelThe website also states that technology was included in order to create a game that “players could modify and create their own.”

Speaking to TechRadar Gaming, Mark Yeend, co-founder and head of marcomm and community at Shrapneltells us that players won’t be forced to use this technology if they don’t want to.

“We understand why players have been hesitant to engage in games using blockchain until now, because most games were not fun or were just a vehicle for microtransactions,” Yeend said. “We don’t want players to have to think about learning how to use new technology. We strive to deliver a high-adrenaline pull shooter that any AAA gamer would love. You don’t have to engage in blockchain at all if you don’t want to.

If you’re looking for other shooter games to play, be sure to check out our roundup of best FPS games. You can also find other games to play online on our list of best multiplayer PC games.