Special Edition Episode: AMA on Proposal #234

Special Edition Episode: AMA on Proposal #234

The People's Guild: A Splinterlands Podcast

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Welcome back to the People’s Guild. For this special edition episode, an unofficial AMA, we sit down with some of the most respected voices in the Splinterlands community — @davemccoy, @azircon, @mattclarke, @fatjimmy, @synist3r, and @roguepatton. Together, we dive into the latest proposal, community questions, and big-picture strategy shaping the future of the game and the DAO.

A special thank you to Dave and the full panel for taking the time to show up and share their insights, answer tough questions, and help guide the community through the details of Proposal #234.

SPS Token Value and Mechanisms

The group discussed the impact of the SPS discount mechanism on long-term token value, with Dave McCoy explaining that the market would be efficient and the price of packs in USDC ($5) would determine token value. Azircon emphasized that while price speculation is risky, increasing demand for SPS could improve its value, while Matt Clarke noted that SPS and DEC are interchangeable but with a one-way conversion mechanism. The discussion concluded with Dave McCoy highlighting the importance of securing 100 million+ SPS for the DAO's long-term sustainability and maintaining the flywheel mechanism through controlled supply and demand dynamics.

Mini Set Tokenomics and Strategy

The conversation focused on tokenomics and strategies for a new mini set release. Dave McCoy explained that the set would be priced at $5 and emphasized the importance of making it rewarding or fun for buyers. He confirmed that playtesting would continue and that the set would fit into the broader Conclave Arcana set. Bjangles asked about a public dashboard for the sale, which Dave McCoy supported for transparency. He also clarified that marketing efforts outside the existing community were unlikely for this mini set, as it would primarily target the existing base. The panel discussed the importance of prioritizing employee payments in USDC, with Dave McCoy confirming that the DAO's two top employees, Crypto Manacer and Clay, would be paid in stablecoins.

SPS and DEC Market Strategy

The panel discussed the dynamics of the SPS and DEC markets, with Dave McCoy explaining how demand spikes affect the price of DEC and Matt Clarke sharing his experience buying regions during a previous market dip. The group agreed that the proposed mini-set focused on SPS and resupplying the DAO's rewards pool was a good approach, with Matt emphasizing the importance of providing confidence to new players about the future of rewards. Dave McCoy clarified that the SPS-USD focus was primarily a DAO initiative rather than a team directive, and Azircon noted that while they cannot control market prices, they can influence demand through strategic purchases.

Mini Set Print Run Discussion

The panel discussed the proposed print run for a mini set, with Dave McCoy explaining that it could generate approximately $2.5 million in sales. The panel agreed that the current size was appropriate as a test, with Matt Clarke noting that mini sets had been successful in the past with Riftwatchers, Orbs, and Dice. When asked if the print run was too small, Dave McCoy clarified that it was intentionally kept modest to gauge demand and avoid potential overproduction.

Mini-Set Pack Strategy Discussion

The team discussed pack types for a mini-set, with Dave McCoy explaining that while standard packs with foils as the sole variable could work, different pack tiers appeal to different players and provide marketing opportunities. Matt Clarke and Azircon agreed that the complexity of card purchasing options should be viewed as part of the game's ecosystem rather than obstacles. Dave McCoy also clarified that while starter packs could be included, they should not be called that as it implies they are for new players, and midnight potions are not required for premium packs but provide better odds for certain card types.

Conflict System Compromise Discussion

The panel discussed the upcoming mini set and the potential inclusion of a conflict system. Dave McCoy expressed interest in finding a compromise solution to address community concerns about the conflict system, rather than simply implementing it as before. He mentioned two possible approaches: reducing the value of PP relative to regular foils, or implementing different types of conflicts (regular foil, gold foil, black foil) with specific rules. The panel also briefly discussed the possibility of including a conflict reward for every $100 spent, similar to previous sets, but Dave noted this hadn't been formally discussed with the team.

DAO to Handle Unsold Card Packs

The group discussed the handling of unsold packs, agreeing that all unsold packs would be sent to the DAO rather than being burned, with FatJimmy suggesting this could be useful for future rewards distribution. They confirmed that the current set size of 43 cards qualified as a mini-set, with Dave McCoy explaining that while they could produce fewer cards, the DAO had the final say on set size if a supermajority agreed. The team also decided to maintain gold foil variants in the set, with Dave McCoy and others supporting the inclusion of different foil options to increase choice for players.

Profit-Sharing and Dividend Feasibility

The conversation focused on discussing the feasibility of profit-sharing or dividends in the near term, with Azircon and Matt Clarke agreeing that it's not realistic in the short term due to the need to prioritize salaries and maintain a strong balance sheet. They emphasized that staking rewards are the equivalent of dividends and should be the primary focus. The group also discussed the Hive Development Fund, with Matt Clarke suggesting it should have been left behind when forking, and agreed that development should stall if witness rewards are insufficient. Dave McCoy highlighted the importance of looking at the long-term picture rather than focusing solely on current ROI, and encouraged participants to consider the project's future potential.

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