Episode 77: An Azircon Conversation

Episode 77: An Azircon Conversation

Welcome back to the People's Guild. We come to you a few days ahead of schedule with this episode as the U.S. gets ready to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday this week.

Our guest in this one is perhaps the most polarizing voice in all of Praetoria and a guy that has been a long time supporter of the show here at TPG, @azircon himself.

We have a great conversation with our guest as we throw some difficult questions his way en route to getting to know Azircon, the human, a bit better.

Enjoy the show!

Azircon's Public Appearances and Community Engagement

Azircon discussed his recent increase in public appearances and interviews, explaining that it was due to two invitations to appear on other shows. He mentioned that these appearances were amplified, making it seem like he was doing many more than he actually was. Azircon also shared his gratitude for the community, stating that he spends a significant amount of time on it because he believes in the game's vision of making people financially free while also having fun. The discussion concluded with Azircon reflecting on his decision to continue engaging with the community, emphasizing that he never feels like he's wasting his time.

Cricket World Cup Discussion

The conversation primarily revolved around the Cricket World Cup, with a particular emphasis on the Indian team's performance. Azircon shared his personal experiences and connection with the sport, highlighting the differences between cricket and other sports such as baseball. The discussion also touched upon the challenges of adapting to cricket for an American baseball player. Bjangles shared his experience of trying to learn cricket during the Covid-19 pandemic, while Azircon discussed his experiences of living in football-loving Oklahoma and baseball-loving Houston, and how these locations influenced his interest in these sports. Azircon also admitted that due to time constraints, he barely has the opportunity to watch cricket games these days.

Azircon's Community Interactions and Energy Insights

The discussion revolved around Azircon's approach to community interactions and his perceived aggressive demeanor. Azircon defended his approach, explaining that it was necessary to address behaviors that could harm the community's growth. He also touched upon a potential way to earn more SPS per day, while acknowledging the risk of defensive responses if discovered. Bjangles raised concerns about Azircon's financial stake in the game and asked how he maintains objectivity. Azircon acknowledged the question but did not provide a direct response. Azircon also shared his insights on the energy industry, highlighting its complexity and the challenges posed by energy policies. He emphasized the importance of sustainability and the need for improvement in the industry.

Handling Personal Attacks in Online Gaming Communities

Azircon shared his perspective on handling personal attacks in online gaming communities, emphasizing the importance of understanding the context. Hepthorn raised concerns about community interests and individuals' confidence in asserting what's best for the community. The conversation shifted to the topic of rules in games and the grey areas that emerge when actions are within the rules but not necessarily in the community's best interest. The discussion ended on a philosophical note, with Azircon suggesting that absence of rules does not automatically grant individuals the right to explore. The conversation then shifted to the topic of video games, with a focus on Splinterland. Azircon noted that the game makers had a libertarian approach to gameplay, allowing decentralization and not regulating players. However, this approach has led to a proliferation of automation in the game, which Azircon suggested could lead to economic issues if it continues.

Ethics and Impact of AI and Bots Discussed

Azircon and Bjangles discussed the ethical considerations related to AI usage, particularly in chatbots and image generation. They talked about the ethical implications of AI-generated images, including potential copyright and safety issues. Azircon emphasized that AI companies have an interest in enforcing ethical standards to protect their brand and avoid legal fees. The conversation also touched on the impact of bots on the game Splinterland's liquidity and player base. Azircon and Hepthorn discussed the potential damage of removing bots, such as reducing the player count and liquidity, and the impact on card values and the rental market. The discussion concluded with an open question about whether there should be no bots at all.

Impact of Player Loss and Land Utilization Discussed

The team discussed the potential impact of losing more players from the game, with a focus on botting in the wild league and its potential effect on the game's economy and card value. Azircon emphasized the need to observe the effect of the upcoming land and Rebellion release before taking action, a view that Bjangles agreed with. The conversation also revolved around the potential utilization of land in their virtual environment, with Azircon estimating that only 10 to 15% of the land would be utilized. He also speculated that three individuals, Cryptoiter, Factoros, and Anti, would be able to fully utilize their land due to their large holdings and access to a significant number of cards and DC.

Resource Utilization and Event Preparation

Azircon suggested that using a single Bcx card would not be cost-effective and instead proposed to utilize all occupied plots and farm for more resources. Bjangles inquired about the forecasted 10 to 15% and its applicability to Max cards, leading to a discussion on net profitability and associated costs. The team also discussed preparations for an upcoming event, "land. 2.0", with Bjangles confirming his readiness and Hepthorn still considering his strategy. Azircon also demonstrated some cards he saved in a Mav Test Server test run and emphasized the importance of buying a specific tool called "time crystals" to reduce production time.

Game Mechanics and Rewards Discussion

Azircon, Hepthorn, and Bjangles discussed the game's mechanics and design, expressing concerns about the time-consuming nature of the game and the economic model. Bjangles suggested that the slow process was possibly intended to give long-term players a chance to enjoy the game. Later, Azircon discussed the potential rewards of a project, emphasizing that the number of people involved can significantly impact the outcome. The conversation concluded with Bjangles shifting the focus to Rebellion, a project Azircon seemingly had a hand in.

Investment Strategies and Digital Currency Support

Azircon expressed his support for a presale and shared his purchasing strategy, which includes earning Digital Currency through curation programs and buying DC from the market. Azircon recounted his experience at a recent event and shared a post about it, emphasizing his commitment to ethical standards. The conversation also touched on Ray's company's unexpected success, with Azircon and Hepthorn sharing their strategic decisions to invest. Azircon concluded the discussion by highlighting the importance of strategic thought in investment decisions.

Presale Packs and Future Plans

Azircon voiced concerns about the financial losses he incurred from buying packs in the presale or open sale. He shared his negative experience with Clds and Clpx, and discussed his investment in Rebellion. Bjangles and Hepthorn discussed their reactions to the presale, with Hepthorn expressing support for the community and the team. They also expressed satisfaction with nearly sold-out packs. Azircon emphasized the need to attract both new and existing players in the upcoming sale launch on December 5th, and expressed uncertainty about the potential demand from the remaining community members.

Card Design and Game Edition Discussion

The team discussed the design of a card, with concerns raised by Azircon about its market appeal. Bjangles countered these concerns, citing the desire of the game's creator, Gaba, for powerful cards. Azircon acknowledged these points and noted the assurance from the card designer, Matt, about the cards' power. The discussion also touched on the need for a new addition to the game, with Bjangles suggesting a switch from a kitty to a squirrel, which Azircon agreed to. The meeting also covered Azircon's personal dedication to the game, including his investment of 40k and belief in the importance of community engagement. The team reflected on the project's success, attributing it to the involvement of the community.

DAO Future, Marketing Challenges, Token Value Strategies

Azircon and Hepthorn discussed the future direction of the DAO, emphasizing the need to evaluate the impact of recent launches like the land and the Rebel. Azircon noted the challenges of marketing in Web 3, particularly the lack of a marketing team and the difficulty of managing gas fees associated with working with Rooney. They also discussed strategies to increase the value of their token, aiming for a steady upward trend rather than a sudden surge. The discussion also touched on personal lives, work, and a past podcast episode. Hepthorn had to leave early for a meeting, and all participants expressed hope for future interactions. The podcast ended with a Thanksgiving message to listeners.

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