Splinterlands Economics: An Analysis of SPS and GLINT 💸

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Greetings Splinterlovers 💛

As I always say, I hope everyone in my favorite community is doing well. Today we won't be talking about any cards. Instead, we'll be highlighting and discussing the most common tokens in the Splinterlands ecosystem, which currently form a fundamental part of its economy. To be more specific, the tokens I'll be talking about this time are SPS and GLINT. Have you ever wondered why SPS is so valuable or what you can do with the GLINT you earn? Well, here's the answer, especially if you're new to the game, this will help you a lot.

As a good Splinterlands player, I'll tell you what you can do with these assets without regretting it later because you're probably misusing them, so I've taken it upon myself to thoroughly research all of this to decipher the economy behind these two tokens. This post will explore in detail the development, acquisition mechanisms, use cases, and connection of these two tokens to understand how they work together to create a sustainable ecosystem for the player.

The Tokens that Drive the Splinterlands Economy

Splinterlands stands out in the Web3 gaming landscape for its long history and complete integration with the HIVE blockchain. Unlike traditional TCG games that we see on "Web2," each card here is a non-fungible token (NFT) owned by the players. In addition, all transactions are recorded on the blockchain, so there is an immutable record of everything, no cheating, Everything is recorded, so a game of this type with real rewards goes above and beyond everything else. Furthermore, as I mentioned, Splinterlands is nothing new; it is one of the veterans of "PlayToEarn" games.

This technological foundation enables a "Play To Earn" model that has attracted thousands of players from around the world. With this in mind, the economy is not limited to a single token within Splinterlands. While DEC was historically the main currency of the game and is currently a transactional token with which you can purchase any type of asset or item in the game, and Vouchers are used for special promotions, SPS and GLINT have emerged as the central pillars of its current economic structure when we talk about gameplay specifically and, of course, the fate of the game itself, each with a different and complementary purpose.

SPS vs. GLINT

SPS (Splintershards)

What is it? Think of SPS as company shares. It is the game's governance token. Owning it makes you a shareholder, which gives you the power to vote on proposals that could define the future of Splinterlands. So, just like company shares, the more SPS you have, the more weight your vote will have in any decision that may be made. This gives it incredible utility from the start, as it is the fundamental pillar of the entire game.
How do you earn it? It is mainly earned by winning battles in "Ranked" (this being one of the most valuable rewards). You can also earn it by staking it, with the aim of obtaining passive rewards (as if you were being paid to hold it). On the other hand, you can obtain it in "Tournaments and Brawl Battles," which are other game modes distinct from ranked battles. Last but not least, if you decide to run a validator node and additionally have the "LICENSE" token, you can earn SPS daily in a completely passive way, while helping to make the SPS network even more secure.
What do you use it for? Its most relevant use is staking, since by "locking" your SPS, you get a reward multiplier for your battles, which can exponentially increase the SPS you can earn each time you win a battle in "Ranked." On the other hand, it also gives you access to special sales, such as cards or what I mentioned before (the purchase of LICENSE tokens) that can basically be merged with the node and, most crucially, voting rights in the DAO (the game's decentralized organization).

GLINT: The "Reward Coin"

What is it? Unlike SPS, GLINT is a utility coin, it is the money you use to buy things in the famous "Rewards Store," most importantly: it is not transferable, which means that you cannot sell or exchange it by any means. It has no value, but it is very relevant in the current game, as it provides a balance between tangible rewards and long-term asset ownership, such as SPS.
How do you earn it? It is obtained by winning battles in "Ranked," especially in the "Modern Format," although you can earn it in both the "Wild Format and Survival Mode." On the other hand, you can also earn it by burning reward cards that are "Soulbound" from the different existing editions, especially the latest ones, Chaos Legion and Rebellion. Finally, you can obtain it in the intrinsic rewards that are earned when the season ends (this is where you earn the most).
What do you use it for? To buy everything, haha, at least in the store I mentioned before, from loot potions, reward chests, card packs, "Merits" that work in the guild store, energy to use in the different game formats, and even titles for your profile (but the latter is sold out). In short, GLINT allows you to choose your own rewards instead of leaving everything to chance in a chest.

The costs of card "Draws" are as follows:

RARITY DRAWS

Common: 150 Glint
Rare: 750 Glint
Epic: 7,500 Glint
Legendary: 35,000 Glint

GOLD FOIL RARITY DRAWS

Common Golden Foil: 3,500 Glint
Rare Golden Foil: 15,000 Glint
Epic Golden Foil: 125,000 Glint
Legendary Golden Foil: 600,000 Glint

In addition to cards, players can spend Glint on other items crucial to progression.:

-Merits: Used to purchase Gladius packs and other guild items, available to players with a level 2 or higher guild store.

Energy and Potions: The cost of energy varies depending on the player's rating, while potions (Legendary and Alchemy) have a fixed cost.
Loot Chests: Glint can also be used to purchase chests containing a mix of rewards, including cards, energy, and merits.

As I mentioned, the rewards store is designed to be a dynamic component and is planned to be continuously updated with new items, such as skins, cosmetics, and resources from future land expansions. This gives GLINT a great utility, as it is basically everything you need to grow as a player.

Splinterlands Economy

The distinction between these two tokens is what really defines the game. The developers created GLINT to solve a problem: previously, the only way to earn rewards was with a valuable token such as SPS, which created constant selling pressure on its price, since everyone who received it in "Stake" automatically began to unlock it in order to have something tangible for the investment they had already made, or to reinvest it in some cases.

So by introducing GLINT as an internal, non-transferable currency, they achieved a great balance. Now, players have two types of rewards:

SPS: The "real" and long-term reward is what makes you feel like you are gaining monetary value for your time and skill; this represents your investment.
GLINT: The "in-game" and short-term reward gives you control over your daily progress, allowing you to buy just what you need to improve your deck, which represents your progress in the game and growth as a player.

This dual system is at the heart of Splinterlands' current economy. It keeps players active and gives them options, ensuring that there is always a reason to keep fighting and immersing yourself in all game formats and modes.

Conclusion

To be a successful player in Splinterlands, you need to understand and use both tokens. SPS is for the strategic and visionary player who thinks about the future, while GLINT is the tool for the everyday player who wants to improve their deck right now. Together, they create a dynamic ecosystem that rewards you both for your long-term commitment and your daily efforts. So, the next time you win a battle, don't just look at the numbers; understand the powerful economy that drives them.

Sin más a que hacer referencia, hasta la próxima “Splinterlords”