Splinterlands and Play to Earn Blockchain Based Games: Noonies 2022 Interview

Hey Hackers!

I’m Clayboyn and I work with project development and marketing at Splinterlands. I am glad to announce that we have been nominated for the 2022 Noonies Award.

A huge thanks to the HackerNoon community and staff for considering us worthy of this opportunity. We’ve been nominated in the following categories and if you like my writing, please do check out these award pages and vote for me:

1. [Most Played-to-Earn Game of the Year]

As a tech writer, I believe that the most exciting technologies at the present time are Web 3 and Blockchain based because I’ve seen the ability they have to positively impact the lives of people around the world by decentralizing ownership and power structures in ways that benefit the end users. Learn more about my thoughts and opinions on blockchain, Web 3, and Play to Earn gaming and my journey in the tech industry via the interview below.

1. Tell us about your journey. What do you do and what do you love about it?

I became interested in blockchain technology in 2012 when I first discovered Bitcoin. Over the years I’ve been a part of creating or helping to launch multiple projects in the industry geared towards lowering the barrier to entry for people that are not familiar with the technology. Currently I’m working with Splinterlands to help bring blockchain and cryptocurrency mainstream through easy to use gaming applications.

2. Tell us more about your work. What do you make/write/manage/build?

We build Play to Earn blockchain based games. Part of that process requires writing out whitepapers and technical documentation, but the philosophy behind it all is just as important and that often shines through as well. We’re currently managing multiple ongoing projects and partnerships to help bridge the gap between Web 2 and Web 3 users.

3. How did you start writing? What made you choose HackerNoon for publishing your work?

Splinterlands operates on the HIVE blockchain, which has writing and blogging as a core design of the blockchain, offering users immutable and censorship-resistant avenues for free speech. Quite a few of our employees follow HackerNoon and read the articles. We were very excited to win Blockchain Game Developer of the Year last year!

4. What excites you in tech? Tell us about your favorite technology and why you are passionate about it.

The most exciting thing in tech right now is the fundamental shift that is happening with Web 3 and blockchain technology. It seems that many people throw around terms like these as buzzwords, but the underlying philosophy of self-ownership and decentralized, community-led governance has the power to change the world. Instead of siphoning wealth from individuals, this new technology allows companies like ours to create value with our communities and to then empower them with the ability to influence the direction of development for years to come!

5. What were some of the challenges you faced being a tech writer and how did you overcome them?

Over the last 10 years I’ve had to learn about blockchain technology as it developed and learning how to communicate the complex ideas and mechanics behind the technology to people that may not understand the value of it has been the most challenging. At Splinterlands, we believe that the best route to onboarding the masses to Web 3 is to provide an easy user-experience with clear messaging and solid technology that is reliable and affordable. We utilize human readable account names on a blockchain with multiple tiers of wallet keys for additional security and the free, 3 second transactions provide for a smooth user experience.

6. What are you learning/reading currently? Any recommendations for our readers?

Staying up to date with industry articles and blogs, like you can find on HackerNoon, is very important to anyone passionate about the industry. We’re always following developments from many sources and staying up to date on new advancements in smart contracts, DeFi, DAOs, and new blockchains and consensus mechanisms that are in the works. We view the industry as a whole as a collaborative space that is working to build a better future with greater opportunities for all through technology.

7. What is your biggest achievement so far?

Splinterlands has had so many massive achievements at this point and they are all very humbling. Becoming the top played blockchain game in the world for most of the last year has been very encouraging and drives us to want to do more for our community. We’ve partnered with major brands like Warner Music Group and MLSPA to help even more diverse groups make the transition to Web 3. We also just crossed the 3 billion games played threshold yesterday. There have been many achievements so far, but we’re looking forward to what we can do next!

8. If we gave you 10 million dollars to invest in something today, what would you invest in and why?

At this point, educational marketing and developing more streamlined user experiences that lower the barrier to entry and reduce the stigma that blockchains are clunky, slow and impractical is the smartest investment this industry as a whole could make. We believe that this would have the greatest impact on the industry, but also it helps destigmatize NFTs and blockchain gaming by educating users on the power of true ownership of digital assets and censorship resistant technologies.

9. What advice would you give to someone just starting in this field?

Follow the passion, not the trends. Blockchain and Web 3 have the power to change the world for the better, but no technology is perfect. If this is something you’re sincerely passionate about, research everything you can, learn as much as you can, and don’t be afraid to try. Support projects you believe in. We’re all in this together!

10. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

There is no failure, we give up or we learn until we succeed. As long as we’re willing to try and we’re open to improvement, we can keep doing bigger and better things. Our own thoughts and beliefs are the biggest hurdles we have to overcome to become successful.

That was all from our side, feel free to add anything else that you want to add for our readers.

Voting opens on 15th August 2022.

Below is your sign to vote for our amazing nominees 😉!