It’s been a fun and genuinely memorable year in Praetoria, with so much to be thankful for. From the introduction of new foils to brand-new game modes, and from the dedication of community members to the renewed energy within the team, everything about Splinterlands in the past twelve months has made being involved in the ecosystem feel better than ever before. It’s difficult to pinpoint just one highlight, because the year has been packed with positive developments across the board—so instead, here are a few of the biggest things on my personal gratitude list.
The Introduction of Campaign Mode
This is a feature Splinterlands has needed for quite some time, and its arrival has been one of the most impactful improvements of the year. The implementation has been thoughtful, revised and polished, providing both new and existing players with a structured introduction to the core mechanics of the game. As a tutorial experience, the campaign does far more than simply teach mechanics—it lays a narrative foundation that brings the world of Praetoria to life in a way we’ve never quite seen before.
More importantly, campaign mode opens the door to true PvE gameplay in the future. It gives the creative team a platform to expand upon the stories, lore, and characters that many of us have been eager to explore more deeply. If this first book is any indication of what’s ahead, then the full potential of a PvE expansion is enormous. With that in mind, I think many of us are quietly (or not so quietly) hoping that we’ll have reason to be thankful again with the arrival of Book 2 sooner rather than later.
The Introduction of Dave McCoy
Another major development this year has been the addition of Dave McCoy to the Splinterlands leadership team. From the outside, it genuinely seems as though Dave has brought a renewed sense of direction and momentum to the project. His presence has allowed team members to focus on what they do best, and the results speak for themselves.
The pace at which projects have been delivered this year is something many of us haven’t seen for a long time, and it has restored a lot of confidence in the direction and future. Equally impressive is how quickly emerging issues have been addressed—problems that previously may have lingered now receive swift, clear action. The communication has been stronger, the transparency refreshing, and the passion shared by the entire team finally feels like it’s all pointed in the same direction. For longtime players, that’s something to be extremely thankful for.
The Introduction of Chase Foils
Chase foils may not be perfect—and like many others, I have a few criticisms about their initial implementation—but overall, they’ve been a successful and exciting addition to the ecosystem. As a first iteration, chase foils have done exactly what they needed to do: they’ve reignited the desire to open packs, given players an ongoing reason to engage with the weekly draws, and added a new layer of collectibility that makes every pack rip feel just a little more thrilling.
Beyond that, the artistic and design potential of chase foils is massive. These cards have the ability to evolve the look and feel of the battlefield in ways we’re just beginning to see. The chase is real—and this feature has added a spark to the game that I hope continues to grow.
The Community
No list of things to be thankful for would be complete without mentioning the community. Interacting with players, creators, and contributors this year has been an absolute joy. Watching how people have evolved their involvement—whether through content creation, tools, tournaments, streaming, or supporting others—reminds me constantly why Splinterlands is so much more than a game.
I won’t be able to name everyone who deserves a mention, but a few standouts from my year include:
Each of you helps make the ecosystem vibrant, fun, and welcoming. I hope all of you enjoyed your turkey—or whatever feast you had!
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