Very valid perspective. However, I don't think it is of any concern.
You have to remember that about a month ago, we were still growing at a rate of 5% every week. That is insane. Eventually it was going to slow down, and I believe that is where we are at currently.
Also, you don't know how many of these accounts that "stopped playing" could have been bots due to the recent changes. If you are an actual player, there is no reason to not keep playing, even if the rewards don't seem like much. Show me another game that you can pay a little over $10 and continuously earn every day by just taking 10-20 minutes out of your day to play an awesome game!
So just my personal opinion on the matter. Overall, I don't think the game is anywhere close to slowing down. If you quit now, you will definitely regret it soon.
I am not quitting yet 2 of my guild of 16 have quit and many going less active and often complain similarly as new players in the splinterlands discord do about lack of earning potential unless you sink thousands into cards.
The lack of earning potential? If the SPS airdrop and new voucher system for SPS stakers isn't good enough, then those people have some crazy expectations.
Also, at the core, Splinterlands is a card game. You get a free daily quest every day that can earn you more DEC or cards. That in itself is something you can't find with other games.
When I hear people say the earnings aren't worth it, my first thought is that they don't have realistic expectations. If you just play the game, you earn. If you rent out your cards, you earn. If you don't do anything, you still earn from the SPS airdrop!
Plus, in the near-future you will be able to earn SPS in ranked battles and brawls. So much on the slate, it is insane.
I think the quitting is because renters used to see profits of around 100-200% more than the rented amount, but because of the drop in DEC, they more often than not don't even get ROI. I think that's why there are more players quitting. I know a lot of people that use Splinterlands as a way to pay the bills and since the recent decline in the overall cryptospace, this isn't feasible any more. Overall the game is still one of the best out there, but the expectations of people blew out of proportion.
With DEC price further crashing, the only way to really earn in this game is to start actually getting your own cards and playing them. I expect this will happen once the CL gen sale is released. That being said, the barrier of entry into this game will definitely go up, because you'd also consider the cost of deck building.
Yeah the game spoiled everyone when it was at its peak. You can't expect that to always be the case, if you do, you will be disappointed.
Again, this is a game, not a full-time job or a way to earn a normal income. It can be more than a game, but that requires a lot of time beyond the game to identify the different investment strategies and stick with them.
Also, this game isn't a free-to-play game. It is all about having realistic expectations.
This. Can't agree enough. In any case, I look forward to owning my own cards this January.
I try to argue without being bias, but the amount of opportunities this game provides is unreal, especially for being a game!
Good luck during the general sale! Hope you buying as many packs as you want/can! Make sure you have your credits bought and are ready to buy as soon as the sale opens as I think it will go very quickly!
Agreed yet for people in 3rd world countries who are new... it is a bit different earning a few potions and credits is not quite what they expected.