Episode 155: A TPG Roundtable
The People's Guild: A Splinterlands Podcast
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Welcome back to the People’s Guild.
In this episode, we’re joined by 
We dig into pricing strategy, community sentiment, governance dynamics, legacy card value, land utilization, onboarding friction, and the broader challenge of building in Web3 while earning long-term trust. AZ brings sharp perspective, Dave brings clarity from the operator’s seat, and together the conversation pushes into meaningful territory around decision-making, communication, and growth.
It’s reflective, direct, and forward-looking — exactly the kind of dialogue that helps shape what Splinterlands becomes next.
Enjoy the show!
Escalation Pre-Sale Success
The episode opens with a look at the successful completion of the Escalation pre-sale, which exceeded expectations with 313K packs sold. The community response was strong, and a significant amount of SPS was locked to the DAO for future rewards. The team prepared to tackle some tougher questions from AZ ahead of the next recording and welcomed his return after a long absence. They also briefly touched on some technical difficulties Jimmy experienced during the show.
Card Game Pre-Sale Rewards
The discussion shifted to pre-sale rewards and pack openings. Azircon shared his experience claiming rewards, including rare and legendary gold foil cards, and noted he plans to use one of the black foil cards during conflict. They reflected on timing, agreeing that a break between the end of pre-sale and pack openings would help build anticipation. Dave McCoy explained the original intent to provide a breather before launch. The group also discussed potion crafting, with Azircon needing 16,000 of each potion type to open his packs.
Card Pack Sale Performance Review
The team reviewed the recent card pack sale, highlighting the achievement of 100 million SPS raised — a milestone Dave described as covering roughly one-third of annual SPS consumption. Azircon expressed regret about missing the top 20 ranking cutoff for black foil qualification. Dave acknowledged scheduling adjustments could improve future sales. They also discussed pricing strategy, noting that while buyers enjoyed a 50% discount, it created pressure on sellers and the DAO side of the equation.
SPS Sale and Gaming Challenges
The conversation explored the SPS-for-packs model, with Dave comparing it to a stock buyback. Jimmy noted he likely would not have participated at full price, while Azircon said his lower participation stemmed from reduced excitement around the set rather than finances. Dave addressed broader challenges facing Web3 gaming, emphasizing that new player growth remains the key issue driving lingering community doubt.
Card Set Value and Decision Making
Dave and Azircon discussed the value proposition of recent card sets. Azircon shared that while he has bought every set, recent offerings have not generated the same excitement due to unclear advantages. They examined land card mechanics and pricing decisions, with Dave referencing Matt’s position. Azircon emphasized the importance of clear communication and decisive leadership, pointing to a recent community vote that overwhelmingly rejected a proposal.
Seeking Middle Ground on Community Issues
Dave explained that while he seeks middle ground solutions, he does not compromise core principles. He maintained that black foils should remain unchanged and emphasized listening to diverse viewpoints. The discussion included the DAO’s jurisdiction, with Azircon suggesting community votes can act as sentiment indicators even if not binding. Bjangles noted the unusually high engagement in the recent vote, and Dave acknowledged its importance in shaping direction.
Legacy Card Value and Utilization
The team debated how to support older card sets on land. Azircon argued modern systems cannot indefinitely prop up legacy value, while Dave and Jimmy advocated maintaining value for both new and veteran players. They noted current land utilization sits around 33% and discussed potential adjustments to improve efficiency. Azircon challenged the team to articulate a compelling $10,000 investment case for new entrants.
Game Development and Player Engagement
The conversation turned toward communication and excitement. Azircon expressed hesitation about the new mini-set based on past experiences, prompting discussion about better hype cycles and transparency. Dave highlighted efforts to operate leaner while delivering features like daily wheel spins. They emphasized that solving player acquisition remains central to long-term token value stability.
Enhancing User Communication and Engagement
Dave and Jimmy discussed improving visibility of new features. They agreed important updates should not be hidden behind obscure UI elements. Dave explained the statistical value of pack equivalents and the need to surface that information clearly. They also discussed onboarding improvements, including A/B testing and refining the tutorial experience.
Website Academy Revamp Discussion
The episode covered the revamped “How to Play” section now accessible via the Academy button. The team agreed further improvements are needed, especially highlighting earning opportunities and refining tutorials. Dave shared insights into earnings distribution across leagues and noted the importance of retaining bronze players while addressing existing system friction.
User Engagement and Feature Improvements
The team discussed tracking engagement and improving retention through incremental funnel optimization. They highlighted the success of features like fortune draws and Splinter Vibes despite minimal advertising. Dave introduced a new guild library feature enabling delegation and borrowing within guilds, along with planned upgrades to the rental market through two-sided bidding.
Financial Performance and Business Models
The episode included a review of financial performance and future models. Dave outlined positive returns from projects like Rebellion and Hall of Legends. They discussed a potential 18-month DAO contract model to provide stability and shared improvements in transparency, including new UI widgets and battle page banners. The conversation also reflected on reward card implementation and the soulbound versus unsoulbound evolution.
Reward Burn and Conclave Updates
The team explored the Reward Burn Leaderboard and the possibility of gamifying SPS burns for Glint. They highlighted the success of Black Foils and Arcanes in enhancing collectability. They discussed Splinter Vibes songs, Conclave Arcana pack equivalents, and prizes. The episode concluded with ideas for improved in-game notifications and potential pull-history tracking.
CA Sale End Event Planning
The show wrapped with planning around the final 11 days of the Conclave Arcana sale. Blaze outlined hype streams and Discord livestream celebrations. They reviewed mint history data, noting only about 10% of cards have been found, with many high-value cards still unopened. With 78,000 packs remaining, the team discussed the excitement building toward the sale’s conclusion and highlighted major raffle winners, including Druids and Doldrus.
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