After about a year of the Beta phase, which started at 900,000 booster packs, we are now faster and faster approaching the end of it. Yesterday we sold over 10k booster packs and the total number has dropped under 200k. What still looks like a huge number, has been proven no hurdle in the past. As the Alpha came to under 100k booster packs, they sold out within a day. This means, that we are now in the countdown to the end of the Beta.
Our Cards Will Never Be "Printed" Again
The most important aspect of the end of the Beta is, that all available Alpha and Beta cards now, will never be created again. The only way to ever get hands on them will be via the open market. Instead, we will get an entirely new set of cards, which will work independent from the first editions, so that everyone can play the game without requiring the old cards. However, only with all cards we will be able to create the most interesting combinations and hence the old cards will stay always of high interest for players.
Time of No Time
After the Beta booster packs are sold out, there will be a period where no new cards are available. This will likely be weeks or even a few months. In that time, the only available cards will be the booster packs on the Steem Engine and Tron markets, the Orbs from the Wandering Dealer and the cards on the open market. This will boost the trading of all these possibilities and reduce the available open market booster packs and orbs further and further.
Flippening Is Here
Check out @nealmcspadden's "flippening" calculations (and do your own math). Buying 500 booster packs gives you 75 bonus packs. When you open them with the best alchemy and legendary potions active, you have a good chance to make an immediate profit. This means it is basically a no-brainer and a lot of money is rolling in quickly, to profit from that.
Conclusion
To me, these are all clear indications, that the Beta will be over very soon. I don't think we have to wait until Q4 of 2019 before the official packs are sold out. FOMO has kicked in and things are accelerating. Splinterlands has become so incredible profitable, there are not many alternatives out there these days, for such a nice money making opportunity. And when the Beta is over, the actual game will come closer to its launch with new cards and new opportunities. I certainly looking forward to see my existing cards grow in value and to add more amazing monsters to my roster.
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