Well, I didn't start in the Alpha, I did in Beta, with a promo code that used to be a physical card from one of the few cards that existed back then, and I can say it's really fun. I love games like Magic and Yugi, and I know they are far from being the same, but, I like the idea of having my cards and they worth something even if that something is burning them for decs, it means I can decide, if they work, if they battle, or even if they become crystals, and I try my best to increase the collection by any way I get ... mostly battling and using the market, but it is hard as a Venezuelan player to get to the top, I have a lot of years playing, xD and my strategies come... from market opportunities, hahahaha, I WAS on the champion league for... many seasons...

How long have you been playing Splinterlands?

My journey started back in 2019 when I first created my account (powerhemp). I took a break and came back to play more actively during the 2021/2022 era, right when the Chaos Legion set was the newest release. After that, I took a longer break and forgot about the game for a while. However, in March 2026, I rediscovered it and came back. Since then, I have been completely hooked.

How has this game affected your day-to-day life or routine?

Since my return in March 2026, Splinterlands has become a fixed and exciting part of my daily routine. I spend a lot of my time actively testing strategies, especially in the Survival mode. Because Survival now features zero cooldowns on dead cards and requires no energy to play, it has completely changed my daily routine. I can play as much as I want, which allows me to constantly test different strategies and learn all the cards that aren't available in Frontier. It's the perfect daily training ground.

What's your favorite memory, milestone, or community connection you’ve made?

My favorite current milestone is navigating the new meta in my favorite game mode, Frontier. Right now, the absolute highlight for me is working with the new Arena Vanguard cards. They have made the game mode so much more fun. A huge personal milestone I am currently working on is slowly leveling them up to level 2 and beyond, making them viable and incredibly useful in high-mana battles. Seeing that progress pay off in real-time is incredibly satisfying.

What does the game or community mean to you on a personal level?

On a personal level, this game represents resilience and transparency. What truly sets Splinterlands apart for me is the development team. Unlike 99% of crypto projects or traditional gaming companies that hide from their player base, the Splinterlands team actually cares. They are visible, communicative, and face the community directly. That creates a level of trust that makes me proud to be a part of this ecosystem.

Any other stories or thoughts you want permanently documented for the public?

I want it documented that good projects survive the test of time because of dedicated builders and authentic communities. Falling out of love with a game and finding your way back years later to find it better than ever is rare in the Web3 space. The depth of the game today—where you can lose yourself in the strategic layers of Frontier or use Survival to master every single card without restrictions—proves that Splinterlands is built for the long haul. My return in 2026 is proof that once you are a part of this world, you never truly leave. And right now, I'm fully focused on my biggest goal yet: I am hunting the leaderboard and pushing to win the current Frontier season, or at least secure a spot in the top 3!

It's been almost five years since I started here. Back then, I didn't really have any experience with these kinds of games, but with the guidance of some friends, I began to get involved in a platform that's still a part of my life to this day. Splinterlands holds a special place in my life, as it helped me a lot during a time when I needed to get ahead, and it was a support that made a difference in my routines and how I navigate the internet.

Although I took a break from playing a few months ago, I decided to return to the game and catch up, discovering so many new things that I'm still hooked. I've even dedicated a lot of my posts to this game. Splinterlands is a game that gives you opportunities, and that's why I hold it in such high regard.

How long have you been playing Splinterlands?

I started playing in the summer of 2021. I admit I got into it a bit blindly, caught up in the NFT hype, to the point where I didn't even realize I was joining Hive too.

Since I had played Magic and other collectible card games before, I was already familiar with the excitement of opening packs, building decks, and discovering card synergies. Splinterlands offers all of that while maintaining its own unique playstyle, which makes it stand out and, most importantly, really fun.

How has this game affected your day-to-day life or routine?

I think it's one of those things that arrive unexpectedly and end up completely taking over your daily routine. As a guilty pleasure, I sometimes put on a podcast in the background and try to play a few matches—and by "a few," I mean 20 or more, you know, gotta make the most of that in-game energy. Finding time to jump into brawls or harvest my land plots while enjoying a cup of coffee has easily become my go-to relaxing afternoon plan.

What's your favorite memory, milestone, or community connection you’ve made?

It's hard to pick just one moment from these past five years, especially since most of them are really personal and almost silly milestones. I guess the first one that comes to mind was finally beating Mylor, the old Archon of Thorns; he was like an invisible wall keeping me from climbing the ranks. Little did I know that Eternal Tofu was waiting for me down the road... but that's another story.

I also won't forget the day I joined a guild. I'm not exactly the most outgoing person, but the social side brings any game to life, and Splinterlands is no exception. Sure, you can't just head down to your local game store to bend the shopkeeper's ear, but with a bit of luck, you can do pretty much the same thing on Discord—as long as you find someone patient and passionate enough.

What does the game or community mean to you on a personal level?

Splinterlands opened the doors to Hive for me and helped grow my account. At first, I was inspired to start writing thanks to their weekly challenges, which reminded me that the rewards go far beyond just earning cards or tokens. As ironic as it might seem in such a competitive environment, the best part has been meeting truly incredible and generous people.

Any other stories or thoughts you want permanently documented for the public?

A project that reaches eight years speaks for itself. You don't have to dig too deep to discover the countless inspiring stories behind it: dedicated people who set goals and achieve them. And, what the hell, let's not forget that it's fun. One of my personal mantras on Hive, which I often repeat, is that you come for the games, but you stay for the people.