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Messages - Alex Willis

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1
Playing Card Plethora / Re: New KS deck: Zombie Black Collector's Edition
« on: September 23, 2013, 04:30:37 PM »
Quote from: WarpunkGames on September 23, 2013, 03:31:32 PM
Yes that is true, it is about personal taste.

Did you try out the game?

The game is not bad.  Something that I would play with my younger kids as the rules are easy and it's just a matter of matching dice to cards.  However...it would be cooler with custom dice and a death roll that would force you to lose some of the cards you already collected.  Let's say if you rolled 7 like in craps.

2
Playing Card Plethora / Re: Celtic Playing Cards (KS)
« on: September 23, 2013, 08:15:52 AM »
I pledged for 1 and I'll watch it, but yes..loads of red flags on this one.

3
Playing Card Plethora / Re: New KS deck: Zombie Black Collector's Edition
« on: September 23, 2013, 08:06:07 AM »
Quote from: ronyo_faukx on September 20, 2013, 07:19:21 PM
Quote from: Alex Willis on September 20, 2013, 07:10:59 AM
As for the deck itself, it's not one of my favorite zombie themed decks.  I'm just not a fan of the artwork.  But the guy is persistant so i wish him all the best.
OOI, what is about the art you don't like, or is the zombie theme?
I am a huge zombie fan, but I just don't like the way the traditional courts on this deck look.  I don't get zombie out of it.  I get aging fresco.  It all comes down to personal taste.

4
Design & Development / Re: Working on a new deck...Steampunk Pirates
« on: September 23, 2013, 08:00:16 AM »
Arghh matey, I'm on board.  I missed the early bird. :(

5
Playing Card Plethora / Re: New KS deck: Zombie Black Collector's Edition
« on: September 20, 2013, 07:10:59 AM »
Quote from: ronyo_faukx on September 20, 2013, 02:47:44 AM
Quote from: Rob Wright on September 19, 2013, 11:01:16 PM
Looks like he is using MakePlayingCards.com

OOI, does anyone else know much about MPC? I was looking at their site, and their prices aren't bad once you get up to USPCC minimum order, but by that point, you might be better off going with USPCC.

Their card quality is nice, their tuckboxes on the other hand... not so much.  Pricing wise, if you can sell decks at a premium there is some room for profit, but most people don't want to pay $11 or $12 for a deck.  Again, if he can get his numbers up there, he can improve his margin. 

As for the deck itself, it's not one of my favorite zombie themed decks.  I'm just not a fan of the artwork.  But the guy is persistant so i wish him all the best.

6
Design & Development / Re: Working on a new deck...Steampunk Pirates
« on: September 20, 2013, 07:01:24 AM »
Quote from: hapaninja on September 20, 2013, 12:01:29 AM
Hey guys, just wanted to share a little more about about the deck. I am going to be minting some coins, one of which will only be available with a limited print run version of the tuck, decked out with foil, emboss/deboss. Launch is on Sunday the 22nd at 2:30pm PST, and I'll be offering some great early backer specials, one in particular (literally just for one person to grab). Here's a look at the special edition deck:

Glad to see you're not labeling the deck Black Flag as I think Henry Rollins might have issue.  :)  I have to say I love the metalman jolly roger on the tuckbox.  Good luck.

7
Playing Card Plethora / Re: My head is spinning!
« on: September 19, 2013, 11:26:18 AM »
Is your question directed at the very specific selling market of magicians and cardicians, or are you asking about collectors?  If you are wanting to sell to the "masses" of which a very small percentage is the magician and cardician, then the question of weight, finish... is not as important to how it looks and who makes it.  People buy decks they can relate to, to perform either a want to collect or to play a card game.  The true mass market doesn't care as long as a king looks like a king and an ace of spades looks like a standard ace of spades.  Some of the true mass market might like one design back versus another, but otherwise give them their decks in pure vanilla.  A smaller subset of the true mass market is the collector market.  Those folks are likely to buy many decks and their decisions are first based on interest in the subject matter and then specifity to brand (Bicycle).  A smaller minority of collectors only care about subject matter.  A safe bet for collectors... Bicycle branded, air cushioned as a standard.  However, sometimes the design supercedes all else and people just want the deck (The Name of the Wind & Federal 52).  You could have made those cards in india with parchment paper and people would still have bought them.  But that kind of popularity is rare.  Attainable, but rare.

8
Playing Card Plethora / Re: THE BLACK BOOK OF CARDS
« on: September 16, 2013, 05:51:50 PM »
I can't believe I missed this deck.  It's at $56K and continuing to grow and you can't get a cheap deck...they've all sold out.  I'm not paying $17 for a f&*King deck!!!  I like it, but I just want the damn KS exclusive seal on my tuckbox!  I think they did a very nice job on this deck, but I am not buying any on the principal of the price point.  Make it $11 and even that is raping me, and I'll cough up the dough.

9
Playing Card Plethora / Re: Civil Unrest (Civil War Playing Cards with Unique Twist) (KS)
« on: September 16, 2013, 04:19:15 PM »
Quote from: rjtomlinson1977 on September 16, 2013, 03:20:28 PM
Oh, I forgot to mention, I was actually thinking of using one of the ad cards to put the rules of Civil Unrest which is just a modified version of WAR.

So you're saying that the south could win?  I will let all my redneck buddies know, they've been waiting a long time for something like that. ;)

10
Playing Card Plethora / Re: Civil Unrest (Civil War Playing Cards with Unique Twist) (KS)
« on: September 16, 2013, 12:44:17 PM »
I have to say, this is the deck I'd play WAR with.  :)  But honestly, I thought the twist was that the south won this time.

11
Playing Card Plethora / Re: Salvation Playing Cards (KS)
« on: September 16, 2013, 12:42:05 PM »
Quote from: Don Boyer on September 16, 2013, 12:31:31 PM

Someone tried that same theme about Dante's Inferno recently on KS.  I can't recall if it succeeded or not.  Too tired to look.

Yes, Inferno from Faro Playing Card Co.  It make slightly over it's goal of $10K.  But that was specifially about the characters of the story of Inferno by Dante.  I liked the artwork on that deck but that was more specific to the book.  I think this designer should consider something similar but more in line with his theme of Salvation.  Perhaps the court cards could the be stations of the Cross or something  else religiously Iconic.  perhaps base the base the courts on the 12 apostles and their stories.  There is a lot you could do with a faith based deck.  The problem is that KS may not be the right market for them.  Perhaps he should sell them to the Gideons and get them inserted into Hotel rooms.

12
Playing Card Plethora / Re: IRON KINGS, live on Kickstarter..!!
« on: September 16, 2013, 12:33:57 PM »
I'm still on the fence for this deck.  I love the concept...armor.  I'm not fond of the background colors, pips nor the card back, but I do like the tuck box and the armor itself.  I've starred it and will decide on day 15 when this project is ready to end.  I'm still trying to define what makes me buy decks.  80% of it is the artwork - theme, artistry and design.  10% on the tuckbox and 10% on if I think the deck should be made.  I'm currently 50% on the artwork, and 10% equally for the tuck box and need to produce.  The problem is that I need to make it over 80% to make the decision to purchase... :(

13
Playing Card Plethora / Re: "Reflections" Playing Card Deck (KS)
« on: September 16, 2013, 08:40:25 AM »
Well the deck is by "two young dreamers" but is it just me or is this not a Bicycle deck?  I'm confused.  I figured out the morse code bit, (that wasn't hard).  And while it's not terrible, I'm not quite digging on it either.  I don't get a feel of Dorian Gray and I don't really feel like I'm looking in a mirror.  I hate the shattered suits, I think the shatter design they did in their other image mimics more of what shattered glass would look like.  It's just not what I'm looking for.  Come on Canada, give us something more than Hokey and comedians!

14
Playing Card Plethora / Re: Civil Unrest (Civil War Playing Cards with Unique Twist) (KS)
« on: September 16, 2013, 08:29:36 AM »
Is the art on the court cards original?  They appear to be colorized vintage photographs.  As far as the treasure bit goes, God bless him for trying to appeal to the masses.  As far as the deck goes, I like the back and the tuck box.  If I didn't open my decks, I'd be happy to include this in my collection... but I play with my cards so I'm on the fence about this one.  I may still get one because of the tuckbox.  I've never bought a deck just for the wrapping so it'd be a first for me. 

15
Introduce Yourself / Re: My Intro
« on: September 16, 2013, 08:22:25 AM »
I've always said that this forum didn't have enough Alexs!  Welcome, and please feel free to share some of  your design in the designing forum.  You'll find it to be exceptionally helpful as you create a deck.  You can get some great advice before launching to the public.

16
Playing Card Plethora / Re: Salvation Playing Cards (KS)
« on: September 16, 2013, 08:09:06 AM »
Is it self-righteous to play poker with a salvation deck?  To be honest, I think a religion based deck, perhaps one based on The Devine Comedy by Dante would be awesome.  "The path to salvation is through hell" and all that.  I think the guy is well intentioned, however didn't bother doing any research prior to launching.  He has not backed any projects (which I think should be a necessary requirement) and this is his first project.  I'll reach out to him and see if we can't come to Jesus on this. :)

17
Design & Development / Re: texasplayingcards.com
« on: September 16, 2013, 08:00:06 AM »
Quote from: MrMollusk on September 15, 2013, 01:22:12 PM
Whoa. I just visited his Kickstarter preview.

What the dick is that $2 reward?

I would have so gone for it if it were Aces and 8's, but Aces and Jokers... no thanks.  And what a waste of a USPCC tuck box than to flatten it as a firm protector.  What is he doing with the rest of the deck?  On the preview I get what he was doing on his main image with bullet riddled letters but he needed to make it more obvious, it just looks like bad pixelation.

I'll give him credit, he took special care in lining up the reward banners with the rewards themselves, that's pretty awesome, however you have to scroll way down to see what he's pitching.

18
Playing Card Plethora / Re: cost of cards and shipping
« on: September 12, 2013, 08:42:09 AM »
Too many people underestimate the cost of shipping and get sticker shock when they see such a high shipping price.  Packaging, labeling, labor, gas and the postage itself all contribute to shipping.  But at first glance, I am attracted to the $11 deck, $9 shipping.  Your other option of course is $20 shipping included.  But for MSRP on the deck, to me $11 looks better when comparing to shipping, but I don't want to pay $11 for a deck.  I'd rather pay $9 which psychologically seems significantly cheaper.

19
Design & Development / Re: New Deck I am Creating: Coat of Arms
« on: September 11, 2013, 11:59:49 AM »
Quote from: Jamm Pakd Cards on September 11, 2013, 11:28:56 AM
Hey Alex,
Thank you for your input I appreciate your honesty.  I started with a more clean look but I then changed it to look more like it would if the coat of arms was made in the 15th century.  Where the coat of arms did not have a clean look.  Here is a pic from the 15th century with the coat of arms being drawn on reused paper.  The art was more simple.  I wanted to go back to that time period and make it look similar. 

If you look at the white and red shield in the left corner you will see they are very similar to my Jack of Clubs.  They all have two symbols above a half triangle and an image below.  As you can see the lines are not clean, the circles are not perfect and they are not perfect shields.  The cards I am creating I want to be like that.  Hope this helps to see where I am going with the old not clean look. 

Thanks,


per the web where I found this image: Just a back ground on the piece:
"The coats of arms are estimated to have been painted in 1480, during a time when good quality paper was scarce and anything that was available was re-used. The banking records, only half-covered by the design, date from 1422-24 and hint at the extensive trade in wool and other commodities produced in Britain during the era."sourced from the web.

Yep, I'm quite familiar with 15th century heraldry.  And if you were doing a spot on representation of that specific period of stylized art, not "inspired by" then I can buy it.  However, I don't believe the audience on KS will be willing to pay you money to produce it.  If you really wan to make a go of the theme I'd highly recommend you join several forums who focus is on heraldry to do two things:  1, to begin to build a fan base.  Cards like Permaculture launched and was quickly successful because they have a very successful following.  2, to get more insight into what people who are looking for that style of art would want. 

Best of luck to you.

20
Design & Development / Re: New Deck I am Creating: Coat of Arms
« on: September 11, 2013, 07:23:48 AM »
If I'm being honest, I don't think the art is quite there.  Look at recent KS projects like Elves & Orcs Bicycle Playing Cards and Iron Kings Bicycle Playing Cards that are fairly in line with your theme.  The first did very well, partially because of the fantasy theme and partially because of the incredible artwork.  The second did not get funded, but made a good showing and demonstrated that people want more than just people in armor.  For a fully illustrated deck you will need something that's really going to wow them!  Previous advice given was to make the cards closer to actual coats of arms.  If this is  your own artwork, then I apologize for the tough critique, but you are asking for advice to help you gain approval from a large market of consumers and frankly I've seen far better illustrations not get the funded.  I think idea of a coat of arms deck has some draw to it, especially if your own can be found in the deck.  I think it'd be very cool to even make it a teaching deck like Permaculture Playing Cards which uses more sketch like artwork.  I would make each suit a different origin (England, Germany, France and Spain) that was known to use family crests.  I would source the most common names from a set time in history (15th or 16th century) and represent those crests.  I would stylize them in the more modern fashion of garish leafwork as the coats of arms were plainer in those times.  See the two examples below, the plain and the garish.

21
Playing Card Plethora / Re: Can-eh-diana Deck of Playing Cards
« on: September 10, 2013, 08:15:26 AM »
I wasn't hating the deck until it got to sports.... Other than hokey and curling, is Canada known for sports?  And basketball could arguably be considered invented by ancient mayans using the cut off the head of your enemy rules.  I'm all for Canadian pride but I would rather have seen the suits themed:  Comedians, Magicians, Atheletes and Scientists and then make the Jokers a Hockey Player and a Curling throw...  I think that would have drawn a much larger audience.  Just my opinion, and we all know what opinions are like...

22
Design & Development / Re: Working on a new deck...Steampunk Pirates
« on: September 10, 2013, 08:04:31 AM »
Quote from: Don Boyer on September 09, 2013, 09:19:17 PM
Quote from: Alex Willis on September 09, 2013, 08:30:09 AM
Wasn't this done in Disney Treasure Planet?  Except for the futuristic space bit.  I'm a huge Steampunk fan, but let's be honest here... historic pirates were at least a hundred years before the Victorian era, whereas steam works were present during the victorian era which is why that works.  I'd prefer to see a truly awesome pirate deck.

Actually, some people have taken a few liberties and joined the genres.  It started with warfare involving powered dirigibles and some have taken it further to go back to watercraft.  Boil it down to brass tacks and it's not that implausible, since we STILL have piracy to this day...  Changes in technology have a way of generating changes in history when it comes to steampunk (or the real world).

So I would be within reason to create an Ancient Egypt Cyber Punk deck? 

Just make an awesome deck... be it pirate or steam punk, if you combine the two..., I'll base my purchasing vote on the artwork and not the theme.

23
Design & Development / Re: Gearpunk/Steampunk deck: Heroes of the 19th Century
« on: September 10, 2013, 07:52:42 AM »
To me it's still more clockworks than steampunk.  The major component missing... steam!  The intent of steampunk is to link heavy iron, gears, guages, sometimes weaponry, which is possible to have been developed in the Victorian era and which if mechanical should be operated by.... steam! 

I don't easily recognize the faces of the court cards, I don't see any traditional steampunk elements beyond the gears.  Still, I don't hate the deck.  I just don't love it.  I pledge on lots and lots of decks, but this is still a pass for me.  Sorry. :(

24
Playing Card Plethora / Re: New KS Deck: Mafia Wars
« on: September 09, 2013, 03:00:29 PM »
I'm not sure why he didn't launch under Fat Panda like he did his first project.  It's a revamp so there's no shame in running the project again.  Second, why is his goal $6,500?  He's not using USPCC the same as last time and there he only had a goal of $1,000.  His last decks seem to be mostly delivered (with mixed reviews...what did people expect??).   I do wish I had ordered a copy of the deck to see the actual quality he got, my guess is that he went with a flat finish which is why people don't like it (surprisingly not because of the artwork).
I agree with Froggo, the designer spent some serious time on this deck.  But if you build a house with cardboard, expect that it'll fall over in the rain.  A poor analogy to say that he needs better material to build a deck with, he needs to take the concept and have the art reworked to the quality currently on KS. 

25
Design & Development / Re: Working on a new deck...Steampunk Pirates
« on: September 09, 2013, 08:30:09 AM »
Wasn't this done in Disney Treasure Planet?  Except for the futuristic space bit.  I'm a huge Steampunk fan, but let's be honest here... historic pirates were at least a hundred years before the Victorian era, whereas steam works were present during the victorian era which is why that works.  I'd prefer to see a truly awesome pirate deck.

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