How HarbourSpark formed
Back in May, four flatmates in Devonport started hosting Friday game nights with takeaway dumplings and a projector. They were tired of traditional pub pokies and craved a safe, free alternative. UltimateSlider’s co-op quests ticked every box, so they created a private squad channel named “HarbourSpark” in homage to the Auckland skyline.
Word spread through friends-of-friends, and now twelve regulars rotate through the roster. They keep the squad invite-only but host public “open nights” each month so new players can feel the vibe before committing.
Their weekly routine
HarbourSpark isn’t glued to leaderboards 24/7. They schedule two main sessions: Wednesday tactical scrims in Arena of Honor, and Sunday chill-outs in Slot Pan and Egypt Slot. Each session starts with a wellbeing check-in where everyone rates their energy on a scale of 1–5. If someone hits a “2”, the squad pivots to mellow playlists and shorter quests.
They also log achievements in a shared Google Sheet, noting who led raids, who solved puzzle glyphs, and who delivered the funniest emote spam. That gentle accountability keeps competition friendly.
Culture & inside jokes
Their Discord is full of ridiculous soundbites recorded during late-night sessions—someone yelling “Wahoo, scatter party!” becomes the default notification tone. They created custom emotes featuring pohutukawa blossoms, lemon slices (their preferred hydration), and a sleepy kiwi reminding everyone to stretch.
“We treat UltimateSlider like a digital marae,” says squad lead Ria. “Respect comes first, humour second, and beating the raid boss third.”
Advice for new squads
- Rotate leadership so one voice never dominates.
- Set session themes: e.g., “Egyptian chill night” or “Arena sprint”. Variety prevents burnout.
- Celebrate small wins like unlocking a new badge or hitting a personal best spin streak.
- Keep snacks hydrating—HarbourSpark swears by lemon water and sliced kiwifruit.
Want to join a similar squad? Drop into our community Discord (#looking-for-squad) and introduce yourself with your favourite slot theme. HarbourSpark members often help spin up offshoot groups for specific time zones.