Last week in Splinterland, a new Campaign Mode was introduced which I explored being left with more deception as if feels like yet another missed chance. Here is why...
Previous Tutorial
The first time a 'playable' tutorial was introduced it was a total disaster with just a wall of text and really annoying clicking to see some conversations, which is one of those things nobody ever wants to sit through. We live in a world were there is an attention span of a goldfish and people are used to watching 10-second videos. So it was no surprise that it didn't do anything whatsoever for a long time to bring new players to Splinterlands.
The New Campaign Mode
So the previous Tutorial was removed, and it kind of was replaced by the new Campaign Mode, which I checked out today
in the game it says Start your journey as a fledgling Battle Mage in this interactive PvE game mode. so I expected a somewhat challenging PvE mode that gives nex player a fun first interaction with the game while they get the chance to learn how it all works. However, this isn't really what it is was as it's nothing more than a slight improvement over the painfully bad old Tutorial.
There are 11 Chapters to go through and each one pretty much is a total disgrace. It starts out with again some plain text nobody wants to read followed by the unlock of some Foundation cards. In Chapters 2 to 11 there are some matches that you pretty much have to auto-click without any kind of challenge whatsover. All it really does is learn you very basic aspects of the game like to place Melee Monsters first and Ranged mosters last. This is something that can be done in a fun 10-second video instead.
What Campaign Mode Should Have Been
The current campaing mode really takes players for total idiots in a blatant way. This while it should take players as idiots in a way that makes them feel really smart, it also should offer a real challenge to existing players one way or another. The Foundation cards themselves aren't a bad idea and possibly do get new players going at least if they don't throw the towel already during this new Tutorial which needs to be completed to get all of them.
Conclusion!
This new campaign mode similar to the tutorial once again shows a complete lack of understanding of good game design and is another massive missed chance as it really could have been something fun. On the bright side, at least it's a tiny step forward from the previous Tutorial and the fact that it unlocks some soulbound cards and Glints might keep some players around. However, all of if doesn't make me all too optimistic that Splinterlands will get the needed new player inflow anytime soon.
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