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Episode 135: A DaveMcCoy Conversation
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The People's Guild: A Splinterlands Podcast
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Welcome back to the People's Guild. This time we’re joined again by none other than @DaveMcCoy, the COO of Splinterlands, for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of the game, community momentum, and what’s coming next.
In the wake of the Conclave Arcana presale, we take a moment to reflect on what made it so successful—from coordinated team execution to community conviction. Dave shares candid thoughts on SPS economics, the evolving pack and foil strategy, and how the dev team continues to balance collectibility with long-term sustainability.
We also dive into onboarding strategy for new players, the thought process behind Yaba’s Pickle, and how the Splinterlands ecosystem is being shaped by both creative leadership and player passion. Whether you’re here for the gameplay, the tokenomics, or just some good old banter, this episode is packed with insight—and a few behind-the-scenes stories you won’t want to miss.
Enjoy the show!
Dave McCoy's Leadership Success
Dave discusses the recent success of pack sales and increased player accounts, but emphasizes that the focus should be on attracting new players. The team is working on improving the game experience for new players with limited investment. Jimmy and Bjangles note the positive trajectory and increased confidence in the game's future. Dave highlights the importance of appealing to a wide range of players, from casual to high-end investors, and the need to improve the onboarding process for new players with smaller investments. The discussion concludes with optimism about the game's potential for growth and attracting a diverse player base.
Yaba's Pickle Card Release Strategy
The group discussed the upcoming release of Yaba's Pickle card in Splinterlands, highlighting its unique distribution methods. There are three ways to obtain the card: a special SPS stakeholders release, purchasing with a gold foil Arcana raffle ticket, or participating in a black foil Arcane auction. Dave emphasized the importance of creativity in card releases and mentioned the development of templates to streamline future processes. The team praised Blaze for his contributions to the project and discussed the involvement of Royal Eagle in the card's design and pricing. They also explored ideas for future community auctions and bounties, demonstrating a willingness to experiment with new concepts.
Yaba Card and Variant History
The group discussed the new Yaba card, which is a rare collector's item with 1,500 regular foils, 30 gold foils, and limited black and Arcane foils. They explored the new variant history feature in the game, which allows players to track the minting and trading history of cards. Dave and Jimmy discovered and admired the detailed tracking system for Conclave Arcana cards, including who pulled which cards and when. The team agreed that the game's modernization efforts were paying off, with improved systems and features being implemented.
Card Foil Dynamics and Market Trends
Dave and Jimmy discussed the dynamics of card values and market trends in their game, focusing on the introduction of black foil cards and their impact on the market. Dave explained how the introduction of gold foils in the past shifted value dynamics, with certain cards becoming significantly more valuable while others decreased in value. He noted that the current black foil cards, being limited to one-of-one and one-of-five prints, naturally command a premium, which can affect the overall value of the game's packs. FatJimmy acknowledged this and emphasized the importance of maintaining accessibility for new players while fostering a market where collectors and speculators drive demand. Dave highlighted the game's "flywheel" effect, where creating demand leads to increased sales and value, and discussed the role of SPS (in-game currency) in the economy. Both agreed on the need to balance collectibility with accessibility, ensuring that the game remains appealing to both new and existing players.
Game Growth Strategy and Features
The group discussed the game's growth strategy, with Dave emphasizing the importance of creating demand to drive the flywheel. They noted the stability of SPS pricing and the success of recent initiatives like the Conclave Arcana presale. Dave outlined plans for new features, including cards made from land resources, though timing and specifics remain uncertain. The team expressed confidence in their ability to execute on these ideas, attributing this to improved processes and team alignment. They also discussed the importance of authentic influencer partnerships and the need to focus on bringing in new players through gaming aspects rather than token investments.
Survival Mode Liquidity Strategy
Dave discussed ongoing efforts to improve Survival Mode, emphasizing the need to address liquidity issues, exploit vulnerabilities, and perceptions of it being a "whales game." He outlined a collaborative approach to finding solutions, involving extensive consultations with community members to ensure any changes are acceptable to a broad audience. Dave also highlighted the importance of using this process as a template for future decisions, such as addressing the depletion of SPS tokens, and suggested a potential increase in the SPS price to $10 to extend the game's runway. Jimmy humorously suggested that solving the new player experience would resolve most issues, which Dave acknowledged as a key goal.
Community's Role in Game Success
Dave expressed appreciation for the community's creativity and engagement, highlighting the positive impact of various contributions, including Jangles' efforts in connecting with manufacturers of Splinterlands figurines. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a fun and engaging atmosphere in the game, while also acknowledging the community's role in driving the game's success. The group discussed the strong sense of community and the willingness of members to contribute ideas and resources, with Dave praising the collective effort and enthusiasm.
Conclave Arcana Launch Discussion
The group discussed the recent Conclave Arcana launch and gameplay, with Dave sharing his excitement about HanV's third-place finish in the pre-sale event. They talked about the new black foil cards, which offer a 20% earned bonus, and the strategic aspects of crafting items on land. The conversation also covered land management strategies, with Jimmy sharing his successful land setup and Bjangles mentioning his recent Splinterlands binge. The conversation ended with appreciation for the development team's dedication and hard work.
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Welcome to the People's Guild
We love hearing the stories that make this community special.
Whether you're a seasoned vet or just getting started, if you've got insights, feedback, epic battles, or just want to say hey, don’t hesitate to reach out.
You can find us at 📬 thepeoplesguildspl@gmail.com or Twitter.
Let’s keep the conversation going.
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