Shrapnel, a PC-based extraction shooter developed by Neon Machine, is moving from the Avalanche blockchain to GalaChain. The shift represents a significant change in the game's blockchain infrastructure and appears tied to strategic goals around market expansion in China.
Neon Machine previously planned to run a version of the game on a China-compliant blockchain while keeping global operations on Avalanche. The studio has now confirmed that the game will operate exclusively on GalaChain, though separate versions for Chinese and non-Chinese players will still exist.
Shrapnel Migrates from Avalanche to GalaChain
Shrapnel Migrates from Avalanche to GalaChain
The migration coincides with a broader push by Gala Games, which recently partnered with the Trusted Copyright Chain, a permissioned blockchain overseen by various Chinese public sector entities. The partnership aims to establish regulatory-compliant infrastructure for blockchain gaming in China. The two blockchains — GalaChain and the Trusted Copyright Chain — will connect through a cross-border bridge set to launch in the first quarter of 2026. The bridge is being built to comply with Chinese regulations, including those governing the registration and management of NFTs.
Shrapnel Migrates from Avalanche to GalaChain
Token Integration and Regulatory Compliance
As part of the migration, Shrapnel's native token, SHRAP, will move from Avalanche to GalaChain. The token will continue serving as the game's in-game currency for purchasing NFTs. Current plans allocate up to 10 percent of the game's revenue generated in China for periodic repurchases of the SHRAP token. This approach maintains token utility while adapting to the regulatory environment in the region.
Gala Games' GALA token will serve as the gas token for all transactions on GalaChain, including cross-chain transfers between GalaChain and the Trusted Copyright Chain. These transfers will consume GALA, adding an operational layer of utility to the token and supporting the infrastructure that underpins the blockchain ecosystem.
Shrapnel Migrates from Avalanche to GalaChain
Strategic Intent to Reach Chinese Gamers
The partnership aims to support blockchain gaming growth within China by creating infrastructure that meets both performance standards and regulatory requirements. Xuan Hongliang, Director of the National Operation Center of the Trusted Copyright Chain, stated that the agreement marks the beginning of a strategic collaboration aimed at developing a large-scale first-person shooter game designed for the Chinese market. The combined effort targets a gaming audience that numbers over 600 million.
Gala Games CEO Eric Schiermeyer emphasized the significance of the cross-chain bridge in serving players in both China and other global markets. He noted that the ability to meet regulatory expectations while delivering a consistent gaming experience was central to the decision to collaborate on the development of Shrapnel under the new blockchain framework.
Shrapnel Migrates from Avalanche to GalaChain
Implications for the Web3 Gaming Ecosystem
The migration of Shrapnel from Avalanche to GalaChain may signal a broader trend in the web3 gaming sector, particularly for developers seeking access to regulated markets such as China. By integrating with a permissioned blockchain that aligns with local legal frameworks, Gala Games and Neon Machine are positioning themselves to navigate compliance requirements while maintaining blockchain-based asset management and token functionality.
