TL;DR: In this episode, host Raphael Rocher speaks with Andrea and Federico Gallucci, the team behind Dawnshard, a strategy card game designed to reward creativity and deck-building discovery. Federico explains the game’s core direction: deep card synergies, fast balance iteration, and strong player expression so multiple play styles stay viable. Andrea shares the product and Web3 vision, focused on ownership and on-chain identity that lets players truly own items and achievements, while keeping onboarding simple through flexible wallet options and low-friction (including gasless) interactions. Together they emphasize a “gameplay-first” philosophy, with Web3 features meant to enhance the experience without getting in the way for traditional players. The conversation closes on Dawnshard’s long-term plan to expand creator tools and community-driven content, building a player-centric ecosystem over time.
Context
NCNG host Raphael Rocher welcomes Andrea and Federico Gallucci to discuss Dawnshard and the thinking behind its design. Federico, the game director, outlines how the project aims to bring back the joy of discovering new deck synergies, while keeping the competitive meta fresh through rapid iteration and balance. Andrea, co-founder, complements this with a Web3 and product perspective, centered on player ownership, identity, and seamless onboarding.
Across the conversation, the guests explain what makes Dawnshard different from other card games, how blockchain features are integrated without adding friction, and why “fun first” is non-negotiable. They also tease the long-term roadmap toward creator tools and community-driven value.
Conversation Transcript
About Dawnshard
Raphael Rocher (Host, NCNG): Let’s start with a quick introduction. Please give us a short description: who you are, what you do, and what your project is.
Federico Gallucci (Game Director, Dawnshard): Hi everyone, my name is Federico. I’m the game director of Dawnshard. Dawnshard is a strategy card game where we are aiming to create a fresh, competitive experience that rewards creativity and uniqueness in play style. We want to bring back the feeling of discovering synergies and building decks that feel truly your own.
Raphael Rocher (Host, NCNG): To achieve that vision, what are the core pillars of the game? And what is your position in the project?
Federico Gallucci (Game Director, Dawnshard): I lead the game design and direction—figuring out the mechanics, the cards, how everything fits together. I design the algorithm for matchmaking and progression and oversee the meta so players have many viable strategies instead of just one dominant build.
Raphael Rocher (Host, NCNG): Okay. How about you, Andrea?
Andrea Gallucci (Co-founder, Dawnshard): I’m Andrea. I focus on the blockchain and Web3 side—on-chain identity, item ownership, and how players can carry value across the ecosystem. I also handle product and growth, making sure the tech choices support the experience and the community.
Raphael Rocher (Host, NCNG): Great. Could you explain what makes Dawnshard unique compared to other card games?
Federico Gallucci (Game Director, Dawnshard): We’re building around three things: (1) deep synergy—cards that interact in unexpected ways; deck-building mechanics and card synergies; (2) fast iteration—balance updates that keep the meta fresh; and (3) player expression—tools that reward inventiveness, not just memorizing a top-tier deck list. We want players to win because they discovered something clever, not because they copied the latest trend.
Long-term Vision
Raphael Rocher (Host, NCNG): And on your side, Andrea—what’s the long-term vision from the Web3/product angle?
Andrea Gallucci (Co-founder, Dawnshard): Ownership and identity. Players should own their collections and achievements and be able to bring them forward—this aligns with how Web3 and blockchain are enabling true digital ownership in games. We’re careful to keep onboarding simple—wallet choices, custodial options, gasless flows that remove friction, so players can just play. Over time we’ll open creator tools and community-driven content so value isn’t only top-down from the studio.
What’s Next?
Raphael Rocher (Host, NCNG): Anything else you’d like to add before we wrap?
Federico Gallucci (Game Director, Dawnshard): Just that our focus is gameplay first. If it’s not fun, nothing else matters. We’re excited to show more soon.Andrea Gallucci (Co-founder, Dawnshard): Same here. We’ll keep the Web3 side invisible unless you want it—smooth for traditional players, powerful for advanced users. We believe in building a true player-centric ecosystem, as described in how Web3 gaming is redefining play, ownership, and community.
Raphael Rocher (Host, NCNG): Perfect. Thanks Andrea and Federico, this was great.
About Dawnshard
Dawnshard is a strategy card game led by Federico Gallucci (Game Director) and Andrea Gallucci (Co-founder). The team is building a competitive experience centered on deep card synergies, fast iteration of balance and meta, and player expression that rewards invention over copying established deck lists. On the Web3 side, Dawnshard focuses on ownership and identity, allowing players to truly own collections and achievements while keeping onboarding simple through flexible wallet options and low-friction interaction. The long-term vision includes creator tools and community-driven content, creating a player-centric ecosystem where gameplay remains the priority.
Since 2024, Dawnshard is an RMA-verified company.