Episode 148: A MattClarke Conversation

Episode 148: A MattClarke 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 @mattclarke, who sits down with us to share his journey through Splinterlands and Hive — from early successes and gameplay strategy to his current role as DAO Chairman. Matt brings a wealth of perspective on governance, proposals, market dynamics, and the evolving future of the game, and we cover it all in this wide-ranging conversation.

From the state of the proposal system to stories from Matt’s own path in Splinterlands, plus discussions on tokenomics, community engagement, and even some lighter moments around food, freedom, and lifestyle — this one packs a little bit of everything.

Enjoy the show!

Splinterlands Success Story

Matt Clarke shared his journey with Splinterlands, explaining how he transitioned from Bitcoin to STEEM and eventually became involved with Splinterlands. He discussed his strategy of hoarding Flesh Golem cards early on, which proved profitable both financially and in terms of brand recognition. Matt also highlighted his positive experiences working with the Splinterlands team, particularly when he helped prevent the release of a potentially offensive card name. He expressed satisfaction with the project's direction and the team's decision to move to the Hive blockchain, which he felt was handled wisely.

DAO Proposal System Enhancement Discussion

The group discussed potential improvements to the DAO's proposal system, with a focus on increasing transparency and community involvement while maintaining stability. They explored ideas like reducing the DEC burn requirement for initial proposal submissions, allowing more time for community discussion, and potentially implementing a crowdfunding mechanism to fund proposals. Matt clarified that while the current system has its trade-offs, he believes it generally works well and any changes should be gradual. The conversation also touched on the importance of individual ownership of proposals and the need to balance community input with efficient decision-making.

HBD: Currency and Community Insights

The group discussed the history and future of HBD, with Matt sharing his early adoption and family's involvement in the platform. They explored the potential for HBD to serve as an alternative to fiat currencies in regions where traditional money fails, noting its algorithmic peg to the USD. The conversation shifted to Matt's experiences with kangaroos in Australia, including their behavior and the practice of culling them for meat, with Galenkp highlighted as a local expert in this area. The discussion concluded with recommendations for engaging with the Hive community, particularly through the content of Tarazkp and Galenkp, who were praised for their consistent and thoughtful contributions.

Decentralized Social Media Growth in Australia

The group discussed Australia's new social media restrictions for users under 16, which Matt Clarke predicted could lead to increased adoption of decentralized platforms like Hive as Australians seek alternatives to traditional social media. They explored broader themes of government decline and the rise of decentralized alternatives, with Matt expressing optimism about the future despite current challenges. The conversation concluded with Bjangles sharing his experience living in Taiwan and considering potential future moves, while the group discussed the strategic importance of Taiwan's semiconductor industry and the changing global geopolitical landscape.

Matt's Strategic Shift to DAO

The group discussed Matt Clarke's retirement from competitive gameplay and his focus shift to the DAO chairman role. Matt explained his decision to prioritize strategic planning and community engagement over daily gameplay, citing the need to better understand HBD mechanics and tokenomics. They also discussed Matt's new chairman bounties program, where players can earn SPs for defeating specific opponents under certain conditions. The conversation concluded with a discussion about potential improvements to the game's community engagement, including in-game notifications for bounties and better integration of Hive social media posts.

Matt's DAO Chairman Transition

The group discussed Matt Clarke's transition from playing battles to focusing on his role as Chairman of the DAO. Matt expressed his commitment to representing the community effectively, emphasizing the importance of being well-informed and prepared for public appearances. He shared his personal experience with the carnivore diet, which he follows six days a week, and its positive impact on his health. The conversation also touched on the need for increased transparency and accessibility in the community's decision-making processes.

Topics on Food, Alcohol, and Freedom

The group discussed various topics including food challenges, alcohol production, and freedom of speech. FatJimmy shared his experience with a sushi challenge and mentioned playing at a distillery. Bjangles and FatJimmy talked about the growth of microbreweries and the popularity of IPAs. The conversation then shifted to Matt "TwoCastles" Clarke's interest in visiting the US, particularly for a gun range experience. They discussed the current state of freedom of speech in different countries, with Matt sharing examples of censorship in Australia. The group also touched on the challenges of immigration and travel restrictions. Finally, Matt expressed interest in living on a floating home in the future, citing rising sea levels and the increasing cost of real estate.

Game Dynamics and Strategic Planning

The group discussed the changing dynamics of the game, particularly focusing on land and card strategies. Matt "TwoCastles" Clarke shared his approach to managing land plots and cards, emphasizing the importance of long-term planning and community building. They also touched on the potential impact of AI on future employment and the value of owning assets like land plots and cards. The conversation highlighted the evolving nature of the game and the opportunities for new players to make their mark in the community.

Splinterlands Strategy and Growth Discussion

The group discussed various aspects of Splinterlands, including card strategies, market dynamics, and potential growth opportunities. Matt "TwoCastles" Clarke shared his reasons for stepping away from ranked wild play, citing a desire to focus on other areas and the challenge of keeping up with the evolving meta. The conversation touched on the success of the Conclave set and the potential for in-person events to increase engagement. Bjangles and FatJimmy explored ideas for expanding the game's reach, including targeting gamers through conventions and gaming cabinets, as well as shifting the messaging to emphasize asset ownership rather than cryptocurrency. They also discussed the positive impact of Frontier mode on the game's accessibility and market.

Card Market and Rule Set Innovations

The group discussed card market opportunities, particularly around Waka cards which were valued at $88, and agreed that gold foil cards were a good investment. Matt Clarke shared ideas for new rule sets including magic cards taking double magic damage, poison stacking mechanics, and amplify stacking rules that would increase card effectiveness based on opponent's strategy. The conversation concluded with plans for a 150th episode celebration featuring multiple live guests, and Matt expressed appreciation for the community's efforts in building lasting relationships through Splinterlands.

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.

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