Reaper Actual: John Smedley’s Return With an Ambitious Open-World Web3 Shooter

After years out of the spotlight, industry veteran John Smedley is back. His next game, Reaper Actual, is a tactical shooter built for large-scale multiplayer warfare. It’s not just another PvP shooter either. The project is designed as a sprawling, open-world combat sandbox with a focus on squad play, deep customization, and blockchain integration.

Now under the publishing wing of Shrapnel Studios (yes the same team behind the extraction shooter), Reaper Actual aims to carve out its own identity in a crowded genre by pushing into open-world territory while experimenting with Web3 ownership and mod support.

Large-scale combat meets tactical coordination

Reaper Actual is built around squad-based multiplayer in a massive open world. This isn’t a confined arena shooter. Instead, players drop into a dynamic landscape that combines base-building, coordinated missions, and persistent elements.

The emphasis is on tactical play rather than pure twitch shooting. Think of a hybrid between Squad, Arma, and Battlefield, but with more freedom and longer engagements. Vehicles, AI elements, and environmental hazards add layers of complexity that go beyond the usual PvP firefights. According to the team, each session can include more than 60 players, and battles are intended to stretch across both tight quarters and wide-open terrain.

Player-driven tools and mod support are core

One of the major design pillars is giving the community meaningful tools. Reaper Actual isn’t just about matches, it’s about persistence and creativity. The game will include in-depth modding features, letting players customize mechanics, content, and even mission structures.

This approach isn’t new to Smedley. His past work on EverQuest and H1Z1 was defined by open systems and live experimentation. Now, he seems to be bringing that philosophy back in a new format, encouraging players to shape the game as it evolves. Early prototypes also hint at base construction, defensive planning, and long-term faction dynamics, though it’s still early in development.

Web3 elements are present, but not intrusive

Yes, there are blockchain features. But unlike some Web3 titles that center everything around tokens, Reaper Actual treats them as infrastructure rather than the main attraction.

Items, mods, and other player-created assets will have on-chain identifiers, but gameplay remains the focus. There’s no mention of play-to-earn loops or required wallets. Instead, blockchain tech is used for tracking ownership, supporting community-built economies, and enabling marketplace-driven mods.

It’s a familiar approach for Shrapnel, which has positioned itself as a studio that integrates blockchain without letting it dominate gameplay or alienate traditional players.

Development is early, but ambitions are clear

No release date has been set, and the game is still in the early stages. However, the goals are ambitious: large-scale warfare, meaningful player agency, and long-term world evolution.

If Reaper Actual can strike a balance between hardcore tactical shooter and accessible player creativity, it may find a unique place in the evolving multiplayer landscape. It’s not chasing battle royale trends or leaning too heavily into crypto. Instead, it’s trying to build something a little messier and more experimental. Smedley’s track record has its highs and lows, but one thing is certain: he doesn’t make small games.