Episode 109: An Investygator Conversation

Episode 109: An Investygator Conversation

Welcome back to the People's Guild. In this episode, we catch up with an old buddy of the show, @investygator, in his first appearance back with us since getting promoted to VP of Engineering over at team Splinterlands.

We cover a whole mess of topics in this one including, reward cards, current & upcoming dev projects, new game modes(!) and much more.

As a reminder, we will most likely be taking the next couple of weeks off from TPG, so we'll see you all again next month.

Enjoy the show!

Investygator's Promotion and Reward Cards Update

The team celebrated Investygator's recent promotion and discussed the upcoming release of new reward cards, with a target date of August 15th. Investygator confirmed that extensive testing and feedback gathering were being conducted on these cards, addressing previous concerns about class imbalances. The team also discussed the upcoming changes via the reward card set, which would introduce new abilities and potentially impact high-level play. However, they acknowledged that it might take some time to level up new cards.

Discussing Rare Cards and Glint Shop Adjustments

Bjangles and Investygator discussed the high costs and strategies associated with acquiring rare cards in their game. Investygator explained that the cost of obtaining each batch of cards increases significantly, making it challenging for players to acquire all the cards they desire. He proposed that a slight increase in the price per batch might be coming to prevent players from having a significant advantage over others. Bjangles suggested potential adjustments to the Glint Shop's offerings, such as exchanging multiple cards of one rarity for a specific one or paying an increased price for a specific card. However, no definitive plans were made, and the future of the Glint Shop remained an open question.

Project Prioritization and Workload Concerns

Investygator discussed various ongoing projects and proposals, including the referral rework, voucher proposal, and a monthly promo sale. There were also discussions about enhancing the non-spell book player experience and reworking the leaderboard prizes to a tournament, as well as revamping the new player experience and tech modernization.

Voucher Shop and Cosmetic Features Discussion

The team discussed the development and implementation of a voucher shop and related cosmetic features. Bjangles and Investygator clarified that the voucher shop was being considered as a replacement for current discounts, with the aim to move it to an in-game-only token and liquidity pool. They also discussed the potential for adding cosmetic items like skins and backgrounds, with the idea of offering exclusive, foil versions of skins via vouchers. However, Investygator mentioned that there was internal debate about whether these items should be sold for glint, DEC, or vouchers.

Battle Display Conversion and Improvements

The team discussed the ongoing conversion of the battle display to the new client, highlighting the challenges faced due to staffing changes and other projects. The only remaining pieces to be moved were the tactics and battles, and the tutorial, which were set to be addressed in the new client once a new tutorial was available. The team also discussed the need for significant improvements to the game's new player experience, with criticism of the current tutorial and a focus on revamping it. Lastly, the development and implementation of a new feature were discussed, with the battles being the final piece of the puzzle expected to take several months.

Enhancing Fairness and Player Experience in Events

Bjangles, Investygator, and Hepthorn discussed ways to enhance fairness and player experience in brawls, tournaments, and battles. They considered introducing a tactics time frame in the second phase of these events, but acknowledged it could be disruptive for tournaments. They also explored the concept of live, instant-join tournaments and a dynamic payout system based on the number of players and the ante required to participate. The team also discussed the potential use of a bot detection battle helper developed by Sylar, but raised concerns about giving Sylar full access to the code base due to potential conflicts of interest.

Mobile Version and Non-Spell Book Players

Hepthorn, Investygator, and Bjangles discussed the potential of creating a mobile version of the game and the user experience for non-spell book players. The team considered various options for rewarding non-spell book players, including the possibility of earning glint or soul-bound rewards cards. They also discussed the potential for allowing non-spell book players to participate in guilds and other game activities. The decision on how to best implement these ideas is still under consideration.

New Game Modes and Card Balance

Investygator and Bjangles discussed the creation of a new game mode for non-spellbound purchasing players and the potential of adding additional gameplay modes such as a sealed deck mode and a draft mode. They considered whether these players should compete in the same leagues as everyone else. The team also discussed the challenges of balancing new cards and maintaining existing card functionality, highlighting the need for careful testing and consideration. The potential impact of these new modes was weighed against the development effort required, with a focus on their potential to enhance the gaming experience.

Promo Cards, NPE Improvements, and Glint

The team discussed the upcoming promo card initiative, with Investygator confirming that the goal is to have monthly promos starting in August. The design of the promo cards is still in progress, with the expectation that they will be available by the latter part of August. The team also discussed improvements to the new player experience, including adjusting the number of wins required to earn the lowest level chest and considering the implementation of a new quest system.

Addressing Workload and Delegation Concerns

Bjangles and Investygator discussed the challenges and bottlenecks in decision-making and project execution within the team. Investygator highlighted that Matt, as the CEO, has a lot on his plate and often needs to delegate more to alleviate the workload. However, some of the people Matt has delegated work to are also overwhelmed. The team is currently handling the large Land project, and there are concerns about the workload and the need for additional delegation from Matt. Investygator also mentioned that they are not planning to hire any new developers at this time, but rather extend their runway with the current staff.

DAO Infrastructure Development and Rental Prices

Investygator and Hepthorn discussed the DAO's infrastructure development and the proposal to increase rental prices, which was put on hold due to concerns about its impact on new players. Investygator also mentioned that the DAO had been paying for the development of the infrastructure and anticipated that this would continue in the near future. Bjangles reported that a proposal to transfer rebellion packs for replacing leaderboard prizes had passed with overwhelming support but was yet to be implemented. The decision on whether to implement the proposal to increase rental prices now or in the future was left with Matt, with Bjangles suggesting that the community should be aware of this situation and consider alternative proposals.

Discussing Card Acquisition and Off the Wall Project

Investygator and Bjangles discussed the randomness of acquiring cards in the game and the need for a clearer path to obtain certain cards. They also touched upon the progress made overall on the project and expressed hope for future improvements in the game. Investygator encouraged the community to be welcoming to new players and to avoid negative discussions in Discord.

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