Episode 136: A JeffOpensCards Conversation

Episode 136: A JeffOpensCards Conversation

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 none other than @jeffopenscards — long-time community member, business owner and one of the most bullish voices in the Splinterlands ecosystem.

We catch up on Jeff’s return to the game, his recent region acquisition, live card break business, market dynamics, survival mode, and of course, some classic tangents including School of Rock and the potential for mustache-themed Archon cards.

Enjoy the episode!

Jeff's Return and Business Updates

Jeff returned to the podcast after 14 months, discussing his recent resurgence in the Splinterlands scene, including his success in survival mode and the first Praetorian region purchase in a while. The group discussed the potential for expanding Splinterlands into physical merchandise and collectibles, with Jeff suggesting that RPG figures could be a promising avenue due to the universal appeal of the characters. They explored the idea of a made-to-order merchandise shop, utilizing affordable 3D printing technology and local manufacturers. The conversation also touched on the stigma surrounding Web3 and crypto, with Jeff noting that many people still view crypto negatively, which could impact the marketing approach for Splinterlands. The group agreed that targeting players of digital card games like Magic: The Gathering could be a successful strategy for Splinterlands, as it offers a quick and accessible gaming experience.

New Region Acquisition Strategy

Jeff discussed his recent acquisition of a new region (58 - Moonfall) for 3.5 million SPS, motivated by its resource mix and potential for top 6 placement in territory-wide research. He explained his strategy of selling entire tracts from his original region (74 - Mors Deep) at set prices between $4,200 and $5,200, while maintaining some plots. Jeff expressed increased confidence in the game's long-term prospects, noting his highest confidence level since Splinterfest, and described his approach to SPS buying and staking during the presale period.

Live Card Breaks Business Model

Jeff discussed his business model of running live card breaks for Pokémon and other trading card games, where customers participate in group openings and can trade cards with each other. He explained how his company acts as a trusted middleman for these trades, and noted that they haven't opened cards for personal use since before COVID. The discussion touched on the current Pokémon card market, with Jeff noting that 45% of all Pokémon cards ever printed have been released in the last three years due to high demand. The conversation concluded with a discussion about promo cards and the potential for time-sensitive promotional content in Splinterlands packs, with Jeff suggesting that while promo cards like Yabanius have their place, they aren't currently necessary for competitive play.

Card Pack Accessibility and Dynamics

The group discussed the accessibility and dynamics of card packs in the game, noting a significant improvement in accessibility compared to previous sets. Jeff shared his experience of pulling a rare card with Matt in chat while live on-stream and highlighted the value of starter packs, which some players found to be the best financial choice due to the inclusion of summoners. They also discussed the impact of legendary potions, which now double the chances of pulling epic cards, and the potential price shifts as players aim to maximize their decks for conflicts. The conversation touched on the scarcity of certain cards and the potential for market changes as new players join and existing players adjust their strategies.

Survival Mode Card Dynamics Discussion

Jeff, Bjangles, and Jimmy discussed the challenges and opportunities in the game, focusing on the dynamics of survival mode, card ownership, and the balance between renting and owning cards. Jeff highlighted the need for a reset mechanism in survival mode to address issues with heavy renting, suggesting that mandating ownership could help but might also create new challenges. Bjangles emphasized the importance of rewarding ownership over rentals and proposed ways to make survival mode more accessible to smaller players. They also discussed the potential impact of survival mode on the game's economy and the need for further adjustments to balance rewards and participation.

Splinterlands Growth and Strategy Review

The group discussed the positive momentum in Splinterlands, noting increased player engagement and the potential for further growth. They highlighted the success of recent strategies, including the presale and the introduction of new modes and cards, which have reignited confidence in the ecosystem. Jeff and Fat explored the economic implications of player growth, discussing the potential for increased demand and the burning of SPS tokens, which could lead to higher prices in the future. The conversation also touched on the limited availability of certain cards and the need for adjustments to player progression systems to encourage continued engagement with the game.

Bitcoin Reserves and Archon Card

The group discussed Bitcoin's recent value and Taiwan's potential move to allocate 0.1% of its GDP to Bitcoin reserves as a hedge against economic instability. They then explored the process of creating an Archon card in Jeff's likeness, with Jeff expressing interest in being involved in the design process but noting his limited expertise in game mechanics. The conversation shifted to potential design elements for the Archon, with Jeff suggesting anti-gnome abilities and the group agreeing that dual elements should be rare. They also discussed the importance of maintaining unique strategies without combining elements, and Jeff expressed a preference for being involved in the decision-making process rather than designing the card himself.

Game Market Price Increase Discussion

Jeff discussed his recent purchases of totems and titles in the game, noting that common totem prices had increased significantly. He expressed frustration at missing out on cheaper items due to rapid price increases. Jangles and Jimmy joined in the discussion, sharing their own experiences and observations about the market. Jeff mentioned he had bought over a dozen Runi. They briefly discussed the movies School of Rock & Jumanji and its sequels before returning to the topic of game strategy and market dynamics.

Splinterlands Mustache Card Variants

The group discussed the potential addition of mustache variants to Splinterlands cards, with Jeff sharing a detailed lore reading about Craniax the Quick. While exploring the idea of mustache-themed cards, they examined various characters' facial hair and identified several characters who could benefit from mustache variants, including Craniax, Valnamor, and Fizbo. The discussion concluded with Jimmy expressing his intention to create a mustache-themed Archon card if he purchases enough packs in a presale; tentatively titled "Jimmy's Mustache".

SPS Strategy and Business Milestone

Jeff shared his strategy and experience during the presale, explaining how he secured the 5th position in the airdrop. He discussed his plans to move SPS from BSC to staked due to an upcoming snapshot. The group also talked about Jeff's upcoming 8th anniversary celebration for his business, which will double as a grand opening for their new location. The group briefly discussed the potential for a snapshot of SPS in the near future.

Welcome to the People's Guild

We love hearing the stories that make this community special.

Whether you're a seasoned vet or just getting started, if you've got insights, feedback, epic battles, or just want to say hey, don’t hesitate to reach out.

You can find us at 📬 [email protected] or Twitter.

Let’s keep the conversation going.

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