I think the main problem is the amount. I've seen a lot of comments including me pointing out the $50k. why not start with $5k or $10k? I don't know how much a game would cost and that might not help tbh, but it would be a step on getting credibility.

It's the same as how when you start loans. First, you will be given up to $2k then after you paid it, the company increases it to $5k then if you're consistent with paying, they're given you up to $100k loan.

Like, unless you can produce a really good portfolio of how you get income and how you can pay them, you can always never get a bank to approve a $50k loan on your first application especially without a good portfolio. Same logic applies in Splinterlands, DAO and any company you want to partner with.