Welcome back to the People's Guild. In this episode we sit down with another longtime friend (and fan!) of the podcast. And another with whom we've not spoken with in far too long.
Continuing the theme of starting 2024 off with a series of fun gameplay & strategy related conversations, we were sure to reach back out to 
Another great episode in the books - enjoy!
See you next week
Podcast, Gameplay, and Competitive Gaming Discussion
The participants discussed potential topics for a podcast, with Bjangles, RoguePatton, and Hepthorn sharing their personal situations and commitments. They also reviewed the People's Guild's previous episode, focusing on user interface updates and future plans. The group then transitioned to a detailed discussion about the gameplay aspect of a game, specifically the "back to basics" rule set. RoguePatton expressed their preference for this rule set due to its emphasis on skill rather than luck. The conversation concluded with RoguePatton sharing their experiences and strategies in playing the game. The participants also discussed their experiences playing in different levels of a competitive online game, noting the challenges of the ranking system and the need to rank high to progress.
Splinterlands & Blockchain Tech
RoguePatton shared their experiences and interactions in the Spinner Lands, particularly with Lorcu, who introduced them to blockchain technology. They also discussed their strategies and struggles in Splinterlands, including their plan to fully max out their deck in gold and their experiences in Champion. RoguePatton also expressed their challenges in moving up due to the lack of soul bound cards and the presence of immunity cards in higher levels. They shared their plans to build their collection and maximize their cards, with a goal of owning all their own and being able to max out a deck on release. A discussion about certain cards like the Chaos Agent and the Dumacke Orc also took place.
Rating System Concerns in Trading Card Games
Bjangles raised concerns about the rating system in the game, noting that some players at the top of the leaderboard can maintain their position by participating in fewer than 100 battles. RoguePatton acknowledged the issue but didn't offer a solution, explaining the system is similar to ELO ranking where players gain or lose points based on their performance against others. Hepthorn and RoguePatton discussed the possibility of implementing a handicap system to balance the playing field, but conceded it might only be suitable for casual play. They also discussed the challenges of ranking players online and the impact of rating on rewards and success, noting the significant swings in rating points and the potential frustration for new users. They expressed hope that the game developers would address these issues in the future.
Soul Bound Cards and Game Evolution
The team discussed the impact of soul bound cards on the game and pack sales, with concerns raised by Bjangles. They also discussed the popularity and challenges of Chaos Legion, with RoguePatton highlighting its vastness and potential impact on sales. The team also considered the importance of purchasing new sets to stay competitive and for the game's evolution. RoguePatton suggested reducing the quantity of reward cards and introducing a three-month print run to create scarcity and demand. The team also discussed an upcoming announcement related to a new phase in their project and the potential for inflation in the DEC currency due to card printing. They also considered unlocking soul bounds for land, trade, and sale, but had concerns about the complexity and potential need for multiple coding instances. The team concluded that final decisions should be made by the game developers, while also taking into account community feedback.
Game Abilities and Strategies Debated
The team discussed the game set's card abilities, noting the lack of new ones and the few immunity and flying cards. They also shared their experiences and strategies in playing the game, focusing on favorite abilities and cards. The conversation also touched on the potential inclusion of the 'flank' ability in the upcoming legendary summoners. The team debated the use of 'flank' and 'reach' abilities, questioning their similarity and potential impact on new players. They also considered the possibility of combining dual colors with summoner abilities and assigning weapons training to more powerful creatures. However, no clear decisions or next steps were made. The main topic of the meeting was a discussion about a bug in a game that affects the functionality of the poison ability, which was identified as a concern. The team also discussed potential new abilities for an upcoming release and the performance of certain cards and summoners.
Game Ability Adjustments and Community Gratitude
RoguePatton expressed concerns about the team's decision to adjust cards once they've been released, emphasizing the potential impact on consumers. They discussed the adjustments made to game abilities, particularly the "immunity" ability, and suggested it might need further adjustment. The team also discussed changes to the "Cripple" spell and the concept of an ability that prevents being crippled. They considered assigning "Back to Basics" to a monster to remove its abilities. The team also discussed the importance of advance planning and design in game development, expressing concern over last-minute adjustments. Towards the end, the conversation shifted to the benefits received from the ecosystem and the significance of gratitude towards those who contribute significantly to the community.
Blockchain, User Experience, and Game Updates
The team discussed their experiences with blockchain technology, with RoguePatton sharing their positive experiences despite market challenges. They also anticipated a new user experience in 2024, particularly the plan for soul bound reward unlocking. The conversation focused on the potential value and future of specific cards within their game, including concerns over limited supply and potential increase in value. They also discussed improvements to user experience and speculated about future updates, including the possibility of land surfing. The team also touched upon production power and resource allocation in another game, with RoguePatton sharing their current state and anticipation for upcoming changes.
Community Member Departure and Gaming League Challenges
There was a discussion about the departure of a significant community member from YGGSPL, which led to an inquiry about attempts to persuade RoguePatton to join a brawler guild. RoguePatton confirmed there were no such attempts but expressed respect for the brawlers. They also shared their appreciation for the competitive structure of a certain run organization and the broader organization's competitive spirit. Towards the end, they mentioned a split within a gaming community and the challenges of managing multiple discords due to heavy involvement from the brawlers. The team also discussed their experiences and challenges in the gaming league. They touched upon the competitiveness of the gaming league and the fun they were having with it.
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will be offering 100k SPS in delegations and Chaos Legion packs to the top traders! Full details available in this post