Episode 153: A DaveMcCoy Conversation

Episode 153: A DaveMcCoy Conversation

The People's Guild: A Splinterlands Podcast

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Welcome back to the People’s Guild.

We’re kicking off Season 5 of TPG with a wide-ranging conversation alongside @davemccoy, touching everything from Survival Mode and Frontier experiments to skins, dynamic cards, AI-generated music, and the growing list of systems quietly reshaping Splinterlands under the hood.

We dig into upcoming Vinny and Mags skins, early thoughts on Survival Mode and its bracketed structure, the evolution of Frontier as a true sandbox for new mechanics like Overlords and Boss Monsters, and the launch of SplinterVibes — a tokenized, in-game music experiment that feels straight out of classic gaming nostalgia.

It’s one of those episodes that captures where Splinterlands is right now: experimenting, iterating, and slowly layering new pillars onto an already deep ecosystem. Lots of forward-looking ideas, plenty of community integration, and no shortage of “what’s coming next” energy.

Enjoy the show!

Team Resumes Regular Content Production

The team discussed the return of their regular meeting after a break of about two months. They checked in on the status of Survival Mode, which Dave McCoy confirmed is working but still in a testing phase without a firm release date. The team also noted it had been a while since their last episode, which was prior to Thanksgiving, and they planned to resume regular content with a new episode.

Vinny and Mags Skin Designs Release

The group discussed the upcoming release of new skin designs for Vinny and Mags characters, which Dave McCoy shared in a private preview. The designs, created by BraveTofu, include the Whispered and Archived, all of which will be available in the market for purchase using tokens. The team also praised Tofu’s recent content, particularly his mini-set promo video featuring Portia, which received positive feedback for its storytelling and humor.

Survival Mode and Community Integration

The team discussed the integration of community member Tofu’s content into the game, highlighting the positive precedent it sets for future collaborations. They also reviewed the upcoming Survival Mode, which is in the testing phase and set to launch in early February. Survival Mode will feature 11 different brackets with varying rules and payouts based on card collection power and performance, offering a new way for players to engage with the game. The team expressed excitement about this innovative approach and encouraged community participation. They also briefly touched on the upcoming Boss Monsters feature and the potential for new game modes in the future.

Gameplay Modes and Feature Updates

Dave McCoy and FatJimmy discussed the use of bots in gameplay modes, clarifying that while some modes allow bots, others may require human players only. They also talked about the appeal of playing in Wild mode and the nostalgia of using older cards from sets like Chaos Legion and Beta. Bjangles joined later, sharing insights on the success of Frontier Mode as a sandbox for testing new features, including the upcoming Overlord battles, which will be introduced in Frontier Mode before potentially expanding to other areas of the game.

Dynamic Card System Development

The team discussed the development of a new dynamic card system where cards can change every second, created by Gator, which has enabled the introduction of Overlord and Boss Monster modes. Bjangles requested that the final Overlord be a dark version of Gator, which Dave McCoy agreed was a good idea. The team acknowledged Dave McCoy’s one-year anniversary as COO, noting the significant progress made in 2025 and the positive direction of Splinterlands under his leadership. Dave emphasized the importance of attracting and retaining new players, mentioning the need to improve communication about features like SPS staking and rental opportunities.

SplinterVibes AI Music Launch

Dave McCoy discussed the upcoming launch of SplinterVibes, a collection of 70 AI-generated songs featuring characters from the game, with 12 songs available initially through four different distribution methods. Bjangles expressed excitement about the tokenized music NFTs, comparing them to classic gaming experiences like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. Dave confirmed that each song will have a 100-copy limit.

Players can already explore Splinter Vibes here:
https://soundcloud.com/splintervibes

The team also discussed the crafting system, where players can create songs using in-game resources. Dave noted that while theoretically one account could craft multiple songs at once, they may implement restrictions in future versions if players attempt to corner the market.

Game Updates and Development Priorities

The team discussed upcoming game updates, including the launch of four exclusive items available for purchase using DEC and Glint, with different price points and distribution methods. They confirmed that in-game music will be available in Ranked Play mode, with potential expansion to other modes. Dave McCoy outlined three major projects being led by Matt: a rework of guild brawls to attract and retain players, improvements to the land system with a focus on buildings, and the development of boss monsters for a new PvE gauntlet mode, with the latter being prioritized ahead of guild brawls.

2026 Guild and Community Plans

The team discussed plans for 2026, focusing on improving the new player experience through guilds and community-driven elements. They highlighted upcoming projects including PvE mode, boss monsters, and a guild rework, with Dave McCoy emphasizing that these ideas originated from Matt’s long-term vision. The group also explored potential future developments like deeper land integration and resource-based gameplay mechanics. Dave expressed optimism about the company’s position despite the bear market, noting their ability to learn from past mistakes and adapt.

Splinterlands’ Sustainable Gaming Future

Dave McCoy discussed the strengths of Splinterlands, highlighting its legitimacy, strong community, and high-quality assets. He emphasized the company’s focus on creating a sustainable business model, unlike many other crypto projects that prioritize short-term gains. Dave also noted the depth of the game’s development and the team’s ability to adapt and improve over time. The community’s continued support and engagement were praised, with Dave expressing optimism about Splinterlands’ future in the Web3 gaming space.

Splinterlands Development and Growth Updates

The team discussed recent developments including new features like emojis and customizable cards. Dave McCoy shared updates on upcoming projects such as a Battle Pass and the ability to swap SPS for Glint. Bjangles expressed excitement about the game’s growth and potential heading into 2026, while also grappling with whether to unstake SPS for the upcoming mini-set. The group also touched on the upcoming reveal of one of Blast’s games on OFG’s Twitch stream and jokingly discussed the possibility of bringing Christopher Walken into Splinterlands as a character.

Welcome to the People's Guild

We love hearing the stories that make this community special.

Whether you're a seasoned vet or just getting started, if you've got insights, feedback, epic battles, or just want to say hey, don’t hesitate to reach out.

You can find us at 📬 [email protected] or Twitter.

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