How long have you been playing Splinterlands?

I started playing in the summer of 2021. I admit I got into it a bit blindly, caught up in the NFT hype, to the point where I didn't even realize I was joining Hive too.

Since I had played Magic and other collectible card games before, I was already familiar with the excitement of opening packs, building decks, and discovering card synergies. Splinterlands offers all of that while maintaining its own unique playstyle, which makes it stand out and, most importantly, really fun.

How has this game affected your day-to-day life or routine?

I think it's one of those things that arrive unexpectedly and end up completely taking over your daily routine. As a guilty pleasure, I sometimes put on a podcast in the background and try to play a few matches—and by "a few," I mean 20 or more, you know, gotta make the most of that in-game energy. Finding time to jump into brawls or harvest my land plots while enjoying a cup of coffee has easily become my go-to relaxing afternoon plan.

What's your favorite memory, milestone, or community connection you’ve made?

It's hard to pick just one moment from these past five years, especially since most of them are really personal and almost silly milestones. I guess the first one that comes to mind was finally beating Mylor, the old Archon of Thorns; he was like an invisible wall keeping me from climbing the ranks. Little did I know that Eternal Tofu was waiting for me down the road... but that's another story.

I also won't forget the day I joined a guild. I'm not exactly the most outgoing person, but the social side brings any game to life, and Splinterlands is no exception. Sure, you can't just head down to your local game store to bend the shopkeeper's ear, but with a bit of luck, you can do pretty much the same thing on Discord—as long as you find someone patient and passionate enough.

What does the game or community mean to you on a personal level?

Splinterlands opened the doors to Hive for me and helped grow my account. At first, I was inspired to start writing thanks to their weekly challenges, which reminded me that the rewards go far beyond just earning cards or tokens. As ironic as it might seem in such a competitive environment, the best part has been meeting truly incredible and generous people.

Any other stories or thoughts you want permanently documented for the public?

A project that reaches eight years speaks for itself. You don't have to dig too deep to discover the countless inspiring stories behind it: dedicated people who set goals and achieve them. And, what the hell, let's not forget that it's fun. One of my personal mantras on Hive, which I often repeat, is that you come for the games, but you stay for the people.