Firstly, thanks for your reply. I'm stoked I got you to participate in this community discussion. Checked you blog out and gave you a follow too. Let me know what faction you would like your RARE card delegation.
I detail in this post "Open Sourcing botting" which would do what you talk about (bots only playing players) and everyone benefiting from it. There are other solutions in a previous article linked above also (Captcha, full deck rentals, etc.). This one introducing trying to get the community to suggest a solution for the issue of bot v bot mining. Open sourcing bots (for at least statistic purposes and to stop bot v bot mining WHICH IS THE REAL ISSUE NOT BOTS AS A WHOLE NECCESARILY) plus the coder gets a little bit of the pie IF HE DECIDES TO WHEN HE ADDS IT TO THE CODE LIBRARY. This benefits botters, bots, bot coders, AND players. I mention banning bots as an alternate option long term. Because the "phantom player" stats are potentially very large and to be short... not good. Banning might not be the only solution. Submit your solution in the feedback section on splinter lands (link above). You also don't have to vote my my submission (615) but I have submitted that suggestion in tandem with this article.
I also am happy with the fact that chaos legion isn't selling out right away, GREAT TIME TO BUY FOR NEW PLAYERS. But it isn't selling ON MOBILE APP WHATSOEVER, and you wouldn't even know new packs are out. MOBILE APP ONLY USERS ARE POTENTIALLY NEW USERS OR INCOME RESTRICTED PEOPLE THAT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO USE A COMPUTER. Which is flawed from a sales release perspective however you look at it, the app needs a redo or at least a notification to redirect. That wouldn't be too hard they have one for SPS etc.
I think now is the perfect time for comments such as this one, and this discussion in general. As added in the "please read" part that has been added to answer comments. Now is a great time for real people to buy. This game is phenomenally fun and everyone should take part if they like it. Don't get me wrong, I love Splinterlands.
Thanks again for the comment, and let me know which splinter you would like your RARE card delegation? Kudos, Cheers, and have a slice of !PIZZA
I responded a bit late at night and forgot to add my thoughts on the mobile app not selling packs. I access splinterlands on a mobile device, although I should clarify that it is a small tablet, not a phone. I play from two accounts, one via a browser and one via the app, so I merely change to log in via the browser in order to by packs on that account. I also have to do that to claim my SPS. So while it's awkward, it's not impossible to do on a mobile device (I've also discovered I can access a browser via the keychain app). It would, of course, be preferable if it could be done on the mobile app, but then they've always been behind on updating it, which isn't ideal considering the high percentage of people using mobiles for nearly everything now. Someone a while ago said more people access Hive via a mobile device than a desktop.
I go with Fire. I think I need to look at strengthening that splinter, but I'm still figuring out the best approach.