Here at Publish0x I recently came across a Steem blockchain-based online game called Splinterlands. It's a card game -- with a hand of cards you play against another player. But instead of aces, kings, jacks, hearts, and spades, you play monsters, magicians and other goblins.

I never played such games before and became curious enough to create an account and try it out. And all the more so because it was stated I would be given some DEC in-game currency for every win I make.

Firstly I'd say it will require a whole heck of time to learn all those monsters, manas, abilities, powers and everything. You must be a real card game nerd for that. Then it will take another heck of time to master the game and to get into any upper-hand "league". If you a card games lover, Splinterlands will give you occupation for months, if not years.

However, I managed to win a couple of battles (the battles with other noobs like me, probably). And guess what? No DEC, no cards, nothing... I can't even sell my own card for DEC and buy another one at the marketplace.

Here comes a nasty feature I notice in anything Steem-backed -- heavy monetization at all costs...

You can't get a free Steemit account. (Well, you can, theoretically, if you wait long enough. I've already spent a couple of months waiting) At Splinterlands you can't reach anything without first paying 10 bucks for so-called Starter Pack. (Well, you can get the Pack for free, theoretically, if you're an "influencer").

Yup, the game may be interesting for real card game fans who are ready to pay for in-game stuff and spend weeks learning game rules. But for a casual gamer like me, Splinterlands is a yet another queer blockchain-related thing...

Disclaimer: I'm neither an employee nor an owner of any cryptocurrency project, including the above-mentioned ones. The article is informational, and not an endorsement, guarantee or advice of any kind. The links are affiliate.