Introduction
Welcome back to The People's Guild! This week's challenge is one that's sparked countless debates in our guild chats, Team Possible, and community discord alike: What should the DAO do with its treasure trove of Rebellion/Riftwatcher Packs (and later Conclave Arcana Packs)?
The Team Possible community hosts a weekly chat every Sunday on their Discord, inviting everyone to join in and share their thoughts. Also about these topics!!
This is no simple question. The DAO’s treasury is the lifeblood of Splinterlands' future, and decisions about how to use it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Every decision needs to balance cost, benefit to the community, and the long-term health of the DAO itself. After all, you can only spend your money once—so it has to count.
Some players are eager to spend these resources immediately to spark excitement, while others prefer a cautious approach, ensuring the DAO grows stronger after each decision. Both perspectives are valid, which is why this challenge is so exciting.
Let’s dive into some ideas on how to best use these packs while keeping the focus on building up the community and preserving the DAO’s strength for years to come.
How Many Packs Does the DAO Have?
Here’s the current stockpile:
| Rebellion | Riftwatchers |
|---|---|
| 86,7864 | 204,089 |
That’s a lot of packs! Source: DAO balances
My Take on DAO Pack Strategy
These packs represent a massive opportunity to grow the Splinterlands community and sustain existing players. However, simply cycling them back into the ecosystem could dilute the value of existing cards, which wouldn’t benefit anyone in the long run.
Any strategy we pursue should focus on attracting new players, rewarding loyal ones, and protecting the value of current assets. Let’s explore some ideas:
1. Packs as Jackpot Prizes
We all love the thrill of jackpots — imagine massive prizes in ranked play or special events that include packs!
However, while exciting, this approach might not generate significant returns for the DAO. Splashy jackpots could grab attention on social media, but will they attract enough new players or retain existing ones to justify the cost? Probably only a small amount.
2. Tournaments with Pack Rewards
Most tournaments currently pay out SPS, which is great — but adding packs as rewards could boost participation.
Imagine a series of limited-edition tournaments where the top players win Rebellion Packs. This would encourage more players to upgrade their decks, driving card purchases and rentals while keeping the competitive spirit alive.
3. Creative Burn Mechanisms
I’ll admit it—I’m not a fan of burning things. In fact, I still haven’t burned any soulbound cards for Glint. The only time I’ve burned anything was a few Gladius cards I had no use for and knew I’d never max out or play with.
When it comes to burning packs, my reservations grow even stronger. Burning them gives nothing back to the DAO, which is the first reason I’m not on board with this idea. Sure, it might help the current player base by limiting the influx of new cards, preserving the value of existing ones. But beyond that, the DAO itself gains no tangible benefit.
Instead of rushing to burn packs, I’d prefer we hold onto them—for a rainy day or until we have more clarity about how best to use them. Who knows what opportunities could arise in three years? By keeping the packs, we maintain flexibility and ensure we’re prepared for whatever challenges or possibilities the future may bring.
Burning might seem like a quick fix, but in my opinion, it’s not a move that aligns with the long-term vision or sustainability of the DAO.
4. DAO-Owned Rental Sets
Here’s a bold idea: What if the DAO opened a percentage of its packs to create pre-built rental sets?
The concept is simple: the DAO could open a portion of its Rebellion Packs, build complete card sets, and list them for rent at a slightly higher-than-average price. This way, the DAO doesn’t undercut the existing rental market but ensures that high-quality card rentals are always available—especially for new players who want to dive into the game without a significant upfront investment.
Benefits:
- Guaranteed Availability: Ensures new players can rent a complete set, making their entry into the game smoother.
- DAO Revenue: The rental income could flow directly into the DAO treasury, helping fund future initiatives.
- Support for the Ecosystem: By keeping the rental price slightly above market rates, player-owned rentals would still be the first choice, minimizing disruption to the current rental system.
Challenges:
- Management Overhead: Creating and maintaining these rental sets could require significant time and effort.
- Price Balance: Setting a rental price that’s fair yet sustainable for the DAO might be tricky, especially as the market fluctuates.
This idea would need careful implementation to avoid upsetting the current rental ecosystem, but it has the potential to generate steady revenue for the DAO while supporting the onboarding of new players.
5. Community Giveaways
Donating packs to streamers, content creators, or community initiatives could be a great way to boost visibility.
For example:
- Blaze’s Marketing Challenges: Use packs as prizes for community-led social media campaigns.
- Splinterlands TV Events: Bring streamers together for special giveaways that highlight gameplay, strategy, and fun.
While these ideas might not generate direct revenue, they could lure in new players and re-engage inactive ones.
6. Sponsored League Progression Rewards (MODERN ONLY)
Set aside packs for rewarding players as they progress through leagues.
For instance, upon reaching a new league tier (e.g., Gold or Diamond for the first time), players could receive a pack as a congratulatory reward.
Why could this Works:
- Player Incentive: Rewards for progression motivate players to invest in their decks and climb the ranks.
- DAO Visibility: Promotes the DAO as a critical part of the game’s ecosystem.
- Win-Win: Encourages both engagement and economic investment from players.
What can be considered:
- Only one time when entering the league for the first time ever, only once.
- Only a small change when progressing to a new league, every season again.
Closing Thoughts
The truth is, there’s no single “right” answer to how the DAO should use its packs. The beauty of this challenge lies in testing different ideas, gathering feedback, and iterating based on results.
As a community, we have a unique opportunity to help shape the future of Splinterlands. Let’s dream big, plan carefully, and make decisions that benefit both current and future players.
So, what’s your big idea? Let’s hear it!
Do you also want to be part of this amazing play to earn game consider using my referral link.