Episode 90: A DaveMcCoy Conversation

Episode 90: A DaveMcCoy Conversation

Welcome back to the People's Guild. The bus pulls into North Carolina for this one as we sit down with a favorite guest of ours and the real McCoy of Praetoria, @davemccoy.

We have a great time talking shop with Dave and cover a huge range of topics throughout our conversation. Welcome back to TPG, Dave! Expect another invite to hop back on with us in the not too distant future.

Sit back, relax & enjoy the show!

Evolution of People's Guild and Game Impact Discussion

The team discussed the evolution of the People's Guild since DaveMcCoy last appearance, with Dave expressing appreciation for the show and its significance to the community. The conversation also touched on the impact of a rule change in a game, emphasizing the importance of understanding why players were leaving and making necessary adjustments to retain them. The team was on the verge of implementing the first part of a ranked overhaul, with changes in card rates and the introduction of more SPS into per battle wins. DaveMcCoy expressed his enthusiasm about the potential impact of the Killer Whales show and the importance of attracting a wider audience. Concerns were raised about a possible decrease in the liquidity in the gold tier due to the higher concentration of SPS winnings.

Gaming Card Market Dynamics and Player Feedback

Hepthorn and DaveMcCoy shared their gaming experiences, strategies, and observations about popular cards such as 'coastal century' and 'playful'. They also discussed the market dynamics of game cards, including the high prices of certain cards that might impact buying decisions. The conversation touched on developers' responses to player feedback and the potential overproduction of certain cards. Bjangles suggested a feature to allow players to purchase cards directly from the battle screen. DaveMcCoy proposed a feature that allows players to level up post-game without replaying. The discussion ended with a brief mention of an upcoming burn event and its impact on the market.

Card Creation and Game Potential Discussion

Bjangles, Dave, and DaveMcCoy discussed the creation process of cards for their game, focusing on the versatility of a card named Percival. They reflected on past community reactions to card releases, noting that initial negativity often gave way to eventual value and relevance. Bjangles and Dave praised the team's efforts in bringing cards back to relevance and for defining the game's Meta. Dave recounted a two-month design process involving numerous changes and modifications, highlighting Joey's commitment to customer service and design process. The team also discussed the potential of their game, with Bjangles suggesting the idea of using a passive icon as a profile photo. DaveMcCoy expressed optimism about future opportunities for customization and rewards, emphasizing the importance of player retention and the potential impact of new players.

Card Market Impact on Player Growth

DaveMcCoy and Hepthorn discussed the potential impact of increased player numbers on the card market in their game. Dave expressed concerns about the limited card supply not being able to meet the demand from new players, predicting a potential market crash if more cards enter the market. Hepthorn highlighted the marketing efforts expected to bring in new players. Both agreed on the need to purchase more cards ahead of this potential increase in demand. Dave also discussed the potential of the SPS token, predicting its value could significantly increase if traded at a higher price. He emphasized the need for more people to understand and invest in the token. Finally, Dave and Bjangles discussed the potential impact of attracting a large number of players to their game. They expressed concerns about the liquidity needed to support 1,000 players and potential abuse of a strategy to increase player engagement and investment in the initial spellbook purchase.

Pricing and Value Strategy for Starter Packs

DaveMcCoy proposed the idea of offering a basic starter pack or spellbook purchase deal, along with the introduction of mini packs at $2 and jumbo packs at $50. He suggested maintaining a consistent pricing range for regular packs, between $4 and $5, while considering the introduction of special cards in each type of pack to add value and variety. The team agreed, noting that such tactics are commonly used in other games to encourage users to buy more. They also discussed the potential of including collectible items, skins, or land cards. However, they acknowledged the need to balance pricing and potential sales, and recognized the need to avoid alienating high-level players who might feel disadvantaged by weaker cards. They also discussed the potential issues with the sold out cards and the uncertainty surrounding the value of these cards.

Debating Burn Topics and Human Behavior

DaveMcCoy and Hepthorn engaged in a conversation about the intense debates surrounding a particular topic. They discussed the reasons behind these heated discussions, with Dave suggesting that people's investment in the topic was a potential factor. They also touched on the topic of a 'burn event', with Dave expressing his belief in the concept despite initial resistance. They further discussed human behavior and decision-making, with Dave suggesting that people's tendencies towards argument and gambling could be a factor. They expressed dissatisfaction with certain community decisions, particularly the allocation of Burn cards and the decision to spend $100,000 to create an event. They also discussed the concept of promo cards and their potential shift in use.

Burn Event Reassessment and Game Improvement

DaveMcCoy voiced concerns about the team's decision to hold a burn event, proposing to reassess it once financial stability is achieved. He emphasized allowing market forces to take their course and shared the company's past financial struggles, stressing that all decisions should aim to improve the company's performance. The participants, Bjangles and Hepthorn, agreed with Dave's points and reflected on their experiences with past burn events. They discussed potential changes to the game, including introducing a land-related promo card and revising the system for earning map chat status. They also considered ways to gather feedback and ideas from various sources.

Productive Conversations and Game Improvements

DaveMcCoy shared his views on various topics. He suggested introducing a new rule set to foster more productive conversations and value within the community. He also discussed the potential of revamping game cards and the importance of doing what's right for the game. DaveMcCoy and Hepthorn expressed concerns about actions regarding the use of DAO funds. Dave suggested involving the community in decisions about banning players. He also emphasized the need for a system where players could appeal bans. Dave and Bjangles discussed improving the player experience to attract new players and address excess liquidity. They also considered a burn event to reduce liquidity. Dave emphasized the value of governance tokens and the potential of increasing the value of in-game currency to attract more investors. The conversation concluded with Dave emphasizing the need for a process to set up this system. The group also discussed the unlock fee for their community, with Dave suggesting a compromise between 2X and 4X. They also discussed the potential value and release of a new gaming feature or product.

Splinterlands Card Value and Collection Discussion

Bjangles and DaveMcCoy discussed the potential value of certain cards in the Splinterlands game, known as "unsung hero" cards. Bjangles speculated on their future value as the game evolves, while DaveMcCoy shared his enjoyment of collecting cards, regardless of their current value. They concluded with a light-hearted exchange about featuring their collections on TV shows about collectibles. The conversation also touched on the anticipation for the next batch of soulbound reward cards, with Dave clarifying that there won't be additional months of printing as the old cards will be phased out once the new set is released. The group also discussed the potential impact of ability-specific cards on the game's value.

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