Episode 140: A Mondroid Conversation
The People's Guild: A Splinterlands Podcast
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Welcome back to the People's Guild.
This week, we’re joined by 
Along the way, we touch on comedy, collectors, energy sinks, and a few bold ideas that just might shake things up.
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Comedy Films and Industry Decline
Bjangles, Mondroid, and FatJimmy discussed various topics, including comedy films, the decline of comedy over the past 15 years, and the upcoming Mel Brooks film "Spaceballs 2." They also briefly touched on the Splinterlands game, mentioning potential agenda items, but the conversation quickly shifted back to comedy.
Drakomoto Card Discussion and Concerns
The group discussed the new Drakomoto card, with mixed opinions on its effectiveness. Bjangles noted that Kelan Gaines is considered one of the best cards in modern play, while Mondroid expressed skepticism about Drakomoto's potential to win matches due to its high mana cost and reliance on supporting cards. They also discussed the rising cost of black foil potions, with FatJimmy and Mondroid expressing concerns about the 8:1 ratio making it difficult for average players to afford. The conversation concluded with a nostalgic discussion about past gameplay habits and the social aspects of playing Splinterlands.
Card Release Strategy Discussion
FatJimmy and Bjangles discussed the current state of card liquidity and player acquisition in their game, expressing concerns about the lack of affordable cards for new players. They agreed that a batch system for releasing new cards could be more effective than the current reward shop setup, as it would keep the meta fresh and prevent powerful cards from becoming too abundant. The group also touched on the recent addition of foundation cards and their impact on the game, with mixed opinions on their effectiveness and desirability.
Reward Card Strategy Innovation
The group discussed strategies to address issues with reward cards and the need for quicker adjustments to prevent repeating past mistakes. They emphasized the importance of experimentation and confidence in trying new approaches, with Dave and Blaze being highlighted as key contributors to these efforts. Mondroid proposed ideas for non-soulbound reward cards, free unlocks, and themed chests, while FatJimmy suggested allowing soulbound card trading with a fee system to balance supply and demand. The group also brainstormed novel ideas like explosion chests and themed promotional items to increase player engagement and glint spending.
Modern 3.0: Balanced and Evolving
FatJimmy expressed frustration over missing out on a legendary title by one day due to budgeting mistakes and the rapid sell-out of the last copy. Bjangles and Mondroid discussed the current state of Modern 3.0, agreeing that it is the most balanced and enjoyable version yet, with bloodlines offering indefinite development and evolution. They also talked about the effectiveness of various cards, including Razi, Skinwalker, and the Water Diviner, and noted that play rates for certain cards were lower in ranked play compared to testing environments.
Splinterlands Card Design and Rewards
The group discussed card designs and rewards in Splinterlands, with Mondroid expressing interest in a 2-mana taunt card and Bjangles highlighting the Shadowfey Sheik as a strong performer in ranked play. They explored potential solutions to address energy and glint inflation, including a proposed system where players could bet energy before battles with higher rewards for wins, though Mondroid noted concerns about potential abuse and queue manipulation. The conversation concluded with a brief discussion about scholars and the time commitment required for playing multiple accounts, with Mondroid indicating he had stopped using scholars but still plays two accounts.
Card Market Strategy and Trends
The group discussed card market trends, with FatJimmy sharing his strategy of buying commons and rares when prices dip, particularly focusing on gold foil versions. FatJimmy revealed he had reached the 2 million staked SPS mark, though he was concerned about the impact of recent BNB liquidity pool withdrawals on his portfolio. The conversation concluded with FatJimmy expressing frustration about the 3-day cooldown period for land clearing, which he felt was unnecessary for high-value cards.
Improving Splinterlands Cooldown System
The group discussed issues with the cooldown system in Splinterlands, particularly how it affects card usage and gameplay. They agreed that the current universal cooldown period of 3 days for all cards, regardless of league, is problematic and could be improved by implementing league-specific cooldowns. Bjangles suggested that cards used in lower leagues should have shorter cooldowns to encourage more gameplay at those levels. The conversation also touched on the reintroduction of league caps, which some participants viewed positively as a way to maintain balance between different league levels.
Game Development Strategy Discussion
The team discussed several game development topics, including concerns about high rewards in survival mode potentially depleting resources before safe voting can occur, with FatJimmy and Mondroid agreeing that rewards should be reduced to extend testing time. They explored anti-bot measures, with Mondroid suggesting items and spells could be used to make the game harder for bots while maintaining difficulty for humans, potentially leading to a new draft-style game mode. The team also discussed upcoming content including campaign mode, new rewards cards, and a potential live stream featuring FatJimmy focused on Hive-related content, which Bjangles confirmed would be announced with more details next week.
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