Splinterlands is about to shake things up with the release of a new set of Rebellion reward cards. In total, 27 new reward cards are being introduced, with some of the cards introducing new abilities (Mimic, Corrupted Healing, Execute, and Wingbreak) and for the first time a new gameplay mechanism called Debilitations, which damage or inflict debuffs on friendly units. More RPG tropes coming into splinterlands which is always a good thing.
While these new cards are a welcome update, they also come with a caveat---the process of unbinding Soulbound cards, which is generating significant discussion and concern within the community.
A Steep Price for Freedom?
The process of unbinding the Chaos Legion Soulbound cards, which are initially Soulbound (meaning they cannot be traded or sold), is seen by many as costly and prohibitive for new players. The unbinding process allows players to convert their Soulbound reward cards into tradable assets by paying a fee in DEC. However, this is not a simple or cheap endeavor. For the first 29 days after the Rebellion reward cards are released, it costs ten times a card's power in DEC to unbind it. After this initial period, the costs only increase, making it more expensive to unbind your cards as time goes on. Eventually, after 180 days, these cards will remain permanently Soulbound.
Imagine being a newcomer, investing your time and resources into earning these new reward cards, only to face a steep DEC fee to unlock their full market potential. This situation raises a fundamental question about Splinterlands' Play2Earn model: is it still accessible to new players, or is it becoming a Pay2Play environment?
Are Splinterlands Still Welcoming to New Players?
Last week I wrote a post in which I calculated whether it is profitable for a new player to still play splinterlands and I excluded the costs of earning Soulbound reward cards. With the introduction of the unbinding process, I do not see any new players coming in and paying a multiplier amount to unlock Soulbound reward cards just to sell them at a loss.
At its heart, Splinterlands has always been touted as a Play2Earn game---a place where players can earn NFT assets through gameplay. And yes, in general, this is still the case, but this whole unbinding process does sour things a little bit. The DEC fees associated with unbinding are large and create a significant barrier to entry, making it difficult for new players to be able to play with those cards.
Growing Concerns Over Accessibility
Unsurprisingly, the community reaction to the unbinding process has been mixed, with many voicing concerns about the impact on new players. Some argue that these high costs are necessary to maintain the value of the cards and prevent market saturation. However, others believe that it undermines the accessibility that Splinterlands has long promoted.
A common sentiment within the community is that the unbinding costs could create a divide between established players, who have the resources to unbind and trade their cards, and newcomers, who may struggle to compete.
Is Play2Earn Still Viable?
So, where does this leave Splinterlands? While the new reward cards are great, the unbinding process adds another layer of complexity that could deter new players. "Here are new cards, but you can't trade or sell them" -- it is a confusing narrative for new players to navigate on top of an already complex crypto ecosystem.
The game's future, particularly for new players, will hinge on how the community and developers navigate these concerns, and whether they can preserve the core appeal of Splinterlands as a game where anyone can play---and earn.
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