Episode 92: A Truls Conversation

Episode 92: A Truls Conversation

Welcome back to the People's Guild. In this one, the bus crosses into the European continent to sit down with one of the game's best.

We catch up with @truls and chat all things Praetoria, covering the integrity of the game, strategy, gameplay, meta and much, much more.

Enjoy the conversation!

Splinterlands Strategy and UI Updates

Bjangles introduced Truls, a strategic player of Splinterlands, who shared his gaming experience and admiration for the game's developer, Matt. Truls, Bjangles, and Hepthorn discussed their season-long competition, their strategies, and the unpredictability of the game. They also touched upon upcoming UI updates and changes announced in a Town Hall. The conversation concluded with Truls and Hepthorn discussing the benefits of playing against tougher opponents and the potential changes in their strategy due to alterations in a rating system.

Game Strategies and Innovations

Truls and Bjangles shared their experiences and strategies in playing the game, focusing on the challenges posed by certain players and the importance of anticipating opponents' moves. They praised Jacek’s innovative approach to lineups, and Bjangles expressed interest in exploring more in-depth approaches and thought processes in future iterations of the game. The team, including Truls, Bjangles, and Hepthorn, also discussed their experiences and strategies in Splinterlands. They talked about the value of playing against the same opponents repeatedly to understand their thinking patterns, the strength and underutilization of the Rebellion set, and the potential of dual-element summoners. They ended the conversation by agreeing to continue exploring new strategies and combinations with the cards they have.

Card Game Strategies and Developments

Bjangles, Truls, and Hepthorn discussed their experiences and strategies in playing a card game. Bjangles shared his personal success stories with certain cards, while Truls emphasized the importance of understanding each card's unique strengths. They also discussed the usefulness and limitations of certain analysis tools in aiding their gameplay analysis. The conversation concluded with a discussion about recent developments from a Town Hall meeting, including the potential impact of battle helpers in tournaments. Truls expressed his concerns about the use of battle helpers, particularly in tournaments.

Unfair Game Advantage: Battle Helper Discussion

The team discussed the issue of players using a battle helper, a service that allegedly provides an unfair advantage in games. Truls voiced his suspicion about the legitimacy of the service, citing a $50 payment required for its use. Matt, who had previously remained silent on the matter, was believed to have had a discussion with the service's founder. Hepthorn suggested that the API access required for the battle helper should be restricted, while Bjangles proposed that API usage would be easier to detect and gather evidence against. Truls further clarified that a strong battle helper would require an API due to the large amount of data needed. The team agreed that resolving this issue was a priority, with Bjangles suggesting that the impact of the battle helper's use would become clear when win rates start to decrease.

Anti-Bot Initiative and Ethical Concerns

The team discussed creating a bot, utilizing Sylar’s expertise, to both provide liquidity and police the leagues. Truls and Hepthorn supported this idea but emphasized the need for substantial data. Hepthorn raised a concern about an individual who was allegedly violating rules but not being penalized. The team discussed the legality and ethics of providing a bot for private betting, with Bjangles and Hepthorn expressing concerns about potential illegalities. Truls defended the act, noting the existence of private battle helpers and the individual's transparency about past use. No clear decision was reached.

Gaming Tournament Fairness Concerns

The participants discussed their concerns about the increasing dominance of computer-assisted gameplay in their tournaments. Truls suggested the need for a mode that pits people against each other instead of against computer-assisted players, as the latter always posed an unfair disadvantage. The team also considered the potential of using machine learning bots to monitor matches and identify non-human play, an idea proposed by Bjangles. However, they acknowledged the cost and technical expertise required for such a solution. Hepthorn proposed the idea of auditing certain players' code to ensure fair play, but the team did not reach a final decision on the matter.

Data Access, Bots, and Game Integrity

Hepthorn voiced concerns about the potential burden on the system due to the team's reluctance to restrict access to data and monitor its usage. The team was also criticized for setting up bot farms to inflate transaction numbers and player base in the past, which was seen as detrimental to the game's integrity. Bjangles and Truls agreed that the presence of bots was turning people off from the game and suggested earning money through liquidity pools instead of owning cards. The conversation ended with a discussion on the upcoming Town Hall and the community's role in driving the game's development. The topic of battle helpers and bots in the game was also discussed, with Bjangles and Truls suggesting different punishments for users caught cheating, but no final decision was made.

Ranked Overhaul and Reward Store Discussion

The team discussed the upcoming ranked overhaul and the introduction of the reward store. Bjangles mentioned that the overhaul had come into play faster than expected, with testing being conducted on local test servers. The removal of SPS from chests was a hot topic, with Truls expressing happiness about this change. The team also discussed the potential for increased SPS battle rewards for competing in Modern. Hepthorn expressed excitement about the shift to the new system and the potential for a return of big Sbs rewards. However, he also pointed out a disconnect between his account's progress in Wild and Modern. The team also discussed the possibility of being able to purchase a chest that guarantees a legendary card.

Card Game Strategy and Updates

The conversation focused on the gameplay of a card game, specifically discussing the power and strategy of various cards and summoners. The team discussed the potential impact of a new card, Venka, and its ability to counter certain players. They also speculated on the upcoming release of a legendary summoner and the possible shift in game dynamics. The conversation also touched on the complexity of the game and the potential benefits and challenges of incorporating dual elements into tactics.

Tactics and Updates in Gameplay Discussion

The team discussed tactics in their gameplay, with Truls and Hepthorn sharing their experiences and use of various tactics depending on the situation. Bjangles showed interest in the use of cards like Reklah and Avina, and questioned if Truls constructs teams specifically to adapt tactics on the fly. Truls responded that he usually sticks to one plan but is open to changing it if an opponent's strategy can be exploited. Bjangles emphasized the utility of having multiple tactical options, noting the fun and challenge it provides. They also speculated about possible future updates, including new legendary summiters and additional tactics. The conversation ended with a debate on the possibility of an 8 mana Summit's Truls, with Truls expressing uncertainty due to lack of insider information.

Crypto Listing, E-Sports Investment, Team Expansion, User Experience Improvements

There was a discussion about the potential of pursuing a centralized exchange listing for a crypto project, with Truls expressing uncertainty about the feasibility and expense. Hepthorn added that while such listings could increase liquidity, they might not be worth the investment if the project's current player base is not large enough to sustain trading volume. Truls also suggested investing more in e-sports, specifically in tournaments featuring commentators and multiple cameras. Bjangles mentioned Matt's interest in expanding the team, particularly in the area of web 3 marketing. The group also discussed potential improvements to the user experience and utilization of game cards in Splinterlands.

Diverse Discussion on Exchange, Token, and Clothing Brand

Bjangles, Hepthorn, and Truls had a diverse discussion. They first addressed Matt's opinion on the Central Exchange issue, which differed from their expectations. They also discussed the possibility of listing their token on Finance International. The conversation then shifted to Truls's clothing brand, Dracula Clothing, and his journey into the clothing design business. They also shared their perspectives on their involvement in a crypto project, with a focus on the game aspect rather than the crypto itself. The conversation ended with mutual expressions of appreciation and anticipation for the next meeting.

Check Out Our Episodes

• Check us out on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify & anywhere else you may get your podcasts

Patreon

YGGSPL