I am actively contributing to the SPS Validator Network as nate-sps.
This is a reference for anyone who is considering voting for my node (nate-sps) here:
https://thespsdao.github.io/SPS-Validator/account-votes/manage
WHO IS NATE AGUILA?
I'm hoping that it instills at least a bit of confidence in knowing that I am not a mysterious unknown agent hiding behind an obscure username. My username IS my real name. You can research who I am, where I live, and what I do.
For those who are active in Splinterlands, you see me rambling and waving my arms in Town Halls. You read my thoughts on our Discord server.
The summarized version is that I am Splinterland's first employee, contributing to the launch of the game almost 7 years ago. I joined the game as a player on Day One in May of 2018. Since then, I supported the birth of the Hive blockchain with community marketing assets (which I'm happy to still see being used), I designed the initial website layouts for Hive Engine, I contributed the designs for the first version of the Hive Keychain browser extension and app, and I eventually became VP of Creative for the greatest web3 game of all time, Splinterlands.
WHY RUN A NODE?
When it comes to Splinterlands, I'm ALL IN. I've been breathing Splinterlands for years now, and like many of you, I am invested both financially and emotionally in every aspect of the ecosystem. I manually play both Modern and Wild every season, usually bouncing between Diamond and Champion in both formats. I'm duking it out in guild brawls. I'm harvesting my swamps and bogs in Land. I'm participating in Liquidity Pools. I'm doing all the stuff, because I believe in the project. I'm willing to put my money where my mouth is.
Another reason I'm so active across the full gamut of Splinterlands activities is because I take my responsibilities within the company very seriously. I am in charge of overseeing UX planning, UI design, copywriting, art, graphics, animation, multimedia, world building, narrative, and all things magical. As such, it is critical that I experience first-hand what everyone else is seeing, touching, and hearing. My objective is to fulfill the needs of players and stakeholders in the most intuitive, engaging, and delightful way possible.
This extends to something as important as a decentralized SPS network. Refinement is essential. I want to ensure that over time running a node, updates, voting, licenses, utility, and all the rest are both user-friendly and accessible to all.
Finally, the stability of our SPS infrastructure is pretty freakin' important. If I can help to make the future of SPS successful, I most definitely want to play a part in any way I can.
VALIDATOR VALUES
I believe that being a Validator is about more than just running software for some rewards. Yes, it is critical that an optimized and dependable data-pillar is set up and maintained. That's a given.
But Validators also represent whatever dreams the SPS token is intended to fulfill. Are Validators simply performing a mutually beneficial service? Or are they part of building a Dream with the community?
In other words, I think that being a Validator is about contributing equal parts Stability and Stewardship.
How are the Validators using their rewards? Is it wrong to take profits? No, of course not. However, if I intend to be a Top Validator, I don't think it's outlandish to hold myself to the highest standards. A significant portion of rewards should be staked and actively used to vote for DAO proposals in a manner that elevates our ecosystem to greater and greater heights.
I feel that I have a unique, experienced, and knowledgable perspective when it comes to championing those aspects which are often overlooked and yet so critical to our long-term health, sustainability, and growth.
THE TECH STUFF
I'm not a developer. I HAVE built websites using HTML, CSS, and Javascript. I've previously led development teams in a project manager role. I'm not a complete stranger to the inner workings of technology, however I would be the last person to refer to myself as a developer.
I'm simply not. I have neither the expertise or experience to make such a claim.
However, I can figure stuff out. That meant researching and troubleshooting the set up of my node. Learning how to do things I've never done before.
Despite me being relatively new to managing and maintaining a server, I do feel confident that I have take the necessary steps to ensuring scalability and redundancy. When reviewing the official specs required to run a Node, I made sure to allow for the future.
Considering that I would like to eventually support an API, I did a quick Google search to determine most optimal server location for providing services to the United States. It spit back "Chicago", so that's the location I designated for my server.
*
UPDATE (03/05/2025):* the API is up and running! Big Thanks to
@nickelbunker for helping me with all the technical troubleshooting!
STEWARDSHIP
If you're wondering how I intend to influence or vote with my staked SPS, it should come as no surprise that I am a big believer in leveraging opportunities to capture and increase emotional engagement. Financial investment in a Web3 game is par for the course.
However, if we wish to stand any chance of building a true legacy that is immune to market fluctuations and "fair-weather" sensibilities, we should jump at every chance to encourage Emotional investment.
That does not necessarily mean "lore" (although a rich and immersive narrative-driven experience does inject a sense of "SOUL" that is often lacking in web3 games). What it means is that every participant feels like part of a meaningful story for which they play an important part. Whether that story is that of a battle mage or an SPS stakeholder, what's important is that they see themselves as something much more than a traditional "consumer".
They are important, and by participating in the story, dream, or vision...they are not simply "playing a game". No, they ARE the game. And the game is them. Their story and the "game" are intertwined.
All those who shout out the Praetorian war cry "VONAK!" in social media know exactly what I'm talking about. It's a word unique to Splinterlands mythology that translates to: "Together, We Rise".
Those who use the term define themselves by what Splinterlands represents. It's a story that far exceeds the notion of buying NFTs and staking tokens.
It's a feeling in your bones. It's a dream that you can feel tugging deep in your gut when card values are no longer the metric for what you want out of this collaborative DAO experience. When you think about the future, you think less and less about money and more about building your future kingdom.
Yeah, that's what I want. Hopefully, you want that too.
