Why Couldn't SPS Staking Wait Until the End of the Season?

The Splinterlands team recently introduced SPS staking requirements in the middle of the season. While this decision aligns with the project's original white paper, it has overlooked the evolving player experience, including ongoing rentals, levels, the broken SPS rental market, and the disproportionate impact on players from the developing world. Let's explore the very modest proposal that Splinterlands should have postponed the introduction of SPS staking requirements until the end of the ongoing season, taking into account player enjoyment, engagement, and the frustrations resulting from unfulfilled promises regarding land ownership.

**A Changing Landscape
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While Splinterlands experienced significant growth during the bull market cycles, the current bear market reality brings challenges and frustrations to the player base. The (eternally?) delayed release of land has left many players disheartened and dissatisfied. In such circumstances, the introduction of SPS staking requirements without addressing these underlying concerns further strains the player experience.

**Ongoing Rentals and the Broken SPS Rental Market
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The mid-season implementation of SPS staking requirements has added a layer of complexity to ongoing rentals, creating an unfair disadvantage for players who rely on rented high-level cards. Moreover, the broken SPS rental market, with the need for manual termination and limited automation, frustrates both lenders and dissuaded them from engaging in market-making. These issues contribute to the growing discontent among the player base, further exacerbated by the unfulfilled promises of the land (wen)?

**Disproportionate Impact on Players from the Developing World
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Another critical aspect to consider is the disproportionate impact on players from the developing world who heavily rely on rentals due to limited financial resources. By overlooking this aspect, Splinterlands inadvertently creates a disparity that negatively affects a significant portion of its player base.

In the developing world, where economic conditions and access to resources may be more challenging, rentals have been a lifeline for players to enjoy competitive gameplay and rewards. The mid-season introduction of additional staking requirements places an extra burden on these players who heavily rely on rentals. They often do not have the financial means to acquire high-level cards outright, making rentals their primary avenue for competitiveness. This creates an unfair disadvantage and exacerbates the disparity between them and players with greater financial resources. While this was written in the white paper, implementing this while these people had season-long rentals ongoing was just cheap.

Furthermore, the manual termination process for owners in the broken SPS rental market poses additional challenges for players from the developing world as it discourages owners from renting SPS out. Limited access to resources and time constraints make it more difficult for them to navigate the rental market efficiently. As a result, these players may face obstacles in adjusting their rental strategies in response to the new requirements, further widening the gap between them and players who can readily adapt.

**Respecting Player Experience and Rebuilding Trust
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Given the realities of a bear market, the discontent among the player base, and the disproportionate impact on players from the developing world, it becomes crucial for Splinterlands to prioritize player experience and rebuild trust. Postponing the implementation of SPS staking requirements until the end of the season, 8 or so days away, would have provided an opportunity to address ongoing rentals, and the broken SPS rental market.

By actively listening to player feedback, communicating transparently, and delivering on commitments, Splinterlands could regain the trust of its community. Yet, it continues to fail to do so. A more player-centric approach that considers the challenges of the current market conditions, the frustrations resulting from unfulfilled promises, and the disproportionate impact on players from the developing world would go a long way in enhancing the overall player experience.

**Conclusion
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Splinterlands' recent decision to introduce SPS staking requirements mid-season has highlighted the need to consider the evolving player experience, including ongoing rentals, levels, the broken SPS rental market, and the disproportionate impact on players from the developing world. Postponing the implementation of SPS staking requirements until the end of the season would have allowed for a more comprehensive approach, addressing these concerns and doing something to rebuild player trust, instead of just bringing about another unforced error from the team.

Prioritizing player enjoyment, engagement, inclusivity, and trust is vital for gaming projects, especially in challenging market conditions. By actively addressing the frustrations, unfulfilled promises, and the unique challenges faced by players from the developing world, Splinterlands can foster a more positive and rewarding experience for its dedicated player community, ensuring its long-term success, and its actual survival.