From $5K to $50K: Reflecting on the Evolving Opportunity to Design Cards in Splinterlands
When I first joined Splinterlands, it was around the time of the Alpha Kickstarter. I was new, still learning the ropes, and completely unaware of how unique some of those early opportunities were. Designing a card wasn’t even on my radar yet—it was just a cool fantasy game on the blockchain. Then came the Beta edition, and with it, the introduction of Legendary Summoners, now better known as Archons. A few lucky early community members got to be part of shaping those iconic cards, many of whom are still active in the community today.
By the time the Untamed set came around, I was ready. I didn’t want to miss the chance again. I still remember that day vividly: I was playing soccer when the Kickstarter went live. As soon as I saw it was up, I took myself out of the game, sat on the sidelines, and locked in a card design slot—for a then-whopping $5,000. It felt like a massive risk at the time.
But it turned out to be completely worth it.
That card? The Scarred Llama Mage, designed in collaboration with my daughter. The experience of bringing a card to life in a game we both enjoyed was priceless. And to this day, there's even a real tattoo out there dedicated to the Llama Mage—proof that digital creations can carry serious emotional weight in our world.
The Bar Keeps Rising
Fast forward a few years, and things look very different. With Chaos Legion, the opportunity to design a card became more elusive. The team took a more aggressive and structured approach, and the cost to claim those design slots became increasingly out of reach for many original players, myself included. It was a clear sign of a maturing game and economy—no longer niche, no longer underestimated.
And now, with the launch of Conclave Arcana, we've officially crossed a new frontier. The bar for designing a card has hit over $50,000. That’s a 10x increase from Untamed—and probably just the beginning of what will continue to be a highly exclusive and prestigious opportunity.
It’s both inspiring and humbling.
Where Do We Go From Here?
I find myself wondering what the future holds for this part of the game. Will we see even higher price tags? New formats for earning design rights? DAO-driven community votes? Maybe a return of smaller-scale competitions for art or lore contributions?
What’s clear is that card design in Splinterlands is no longer just a fun perk—it’s become a mark of legacy in the ecosystem, with serious value and cultural weight. Those who got in early can look back with pride. And those who missed it—like I almost did—can still look for new ways to contribute and build something meaningful in this world we all helped create.
Looking back, I’m grateful I took that leap with the Llama Mage. It’s a memory, a story, and a part of the game's lore forever tied to my family. And while I may not be lining up to pay $50K for the next slot, I’ll always appreciate the role that opportunity played in deepening my connection to the game and its community.
Who knows? Maybe someday another path will open—one that brings a new generation of creators into the fold.
For now, I’ll continue watching, playing, and supporting from the sidelines… unless the next Kickstarter goes live during a soccer game again.
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Llama was your card design? What a meta card it was! Although probably abilities weren't your choices, were they?
Yes, my daughter designed it with the team! We asked for it to be Earth Splinter and gave some ideas around the lore which they used. However, the abilities were not our idea at all. But it was a great card we were proud of!