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Messages - Athanasius

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Design & Development / Bionic Blossom by Sleepy Lantern (KS)

« on: May 20, 2023, 04:12:29 AM »

Hey People, greetings to you all.

After quite some time, I created a new deck of cards. Actually, 4 of them.

Our Kickstarter Campaign started few days ago.
Walk the path of celestial voyagers with us, and help us launch this project to the stars. Thanks!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bionicblossom/bionic-blossom-playing-cards

Playing Card Plethora / Re: Asylum Playing Cards Lawsuit

« on: October 16, 2015, 08:15:24 AM »

Well, Don, I understood that, but my assumption is that Nash signed the contract with USPC in 2012., but never paid full some for it, until 2015.. I'm pretty sure he didn't have intention to fulfill the project, until he was pressured by law enforcement.

So, I suppose that artwork was on hold in USPC's archives, and that they printed it upon his final payment in 2015..
The additional reason why I also doubt in his intentions and that cards was printed in 2012., is next - we received a lot requests from retailers (even after campaign) to buy batches of 400, or 144 decks, etc.... But he never even answered to them.

Through KS, he sold 2078 decks. Smallest print run is 2500. If he wanted to fulfill project, he could easily compensate a big portion of funds with orders from those retailers, even if his story of run away associate is true. But as I said - he ignored them. For two years, he didn't even log in to the KS account.

And in case he printed the decks at the time - I also don't see the reason not to answer to retailers and sold rest of the decks. I mean, what was his possibly do with 400 decks? Open souvenir shop... Hardly...

Guy is a scammer, there's no doubt, and he screwed over the USPCC in a way, probably. He was signed the deal in 2012., but he probably didn't mention that his license expired in 2013., when he fulfilled order in 2015.

That's my assumption...

Regardless of all that, I was constantly ignored by Nash. Believe me, I'm a reasonable guy. We could handle all in more reasonable manner for all of us. But there's obvious lack of communication between him and his client (me), and between him and all the backers. That's not the way to do the business.
People are understandable, if he gone transparent about all, I'm pretty sure he would avoid all lawsuits, if he showed just a little of efforts to fulfill his obligations.

Playing Card Plethora / Re: Asylum Playing Cards Lawsuit

« on: October 14, 2015, 02:40:17 PM »

It is possible that order form was filled and signed by Nash in 2012., but I'm pretty sure he didn't paid to USPC at that time.
I'm not trying to necessarily accuse the USPC for stilling, but if Nash trick them to print the artwork which he don't own, he committed certain felony toward USPC firm, too. It's in their interest to cooperate with me. In that case, I don't see a reason for their lack of answers on my emails... I just asked them for cooperation in entire process. Don't you agree that I deserve to know which print run was printed and when, as a deck creator? Especially after I provided them mentioned material and documentation.
I was the one who set the art with them at the time, I'm their client at the end... Ignoring is not very professional attitude toward customers.

Playing Card Plethora / Re: Asylum Playing Cards Lawsuit

« on: October 14, 2015, 05:32:34 AM »

Don, I saw you message in comments section of "Original" Asylum project.

I'm glad that someone still sees overall picture quite clearly. Most of the people are got quiet, after they received their decks. As you said - this guy don't fulfilling the orders because he thinks it is the right thing to do, but because he is forced to do it. And don't think everyone is getting their rewards. Just the people who are potential treat to him...

I still didn't received straight answer, any of my royalties, and which is the worst - not even a single deck I CREATED!

I wasn't aware that he is printing the decks. To be honest, I'm still not sure what happened. As soon as I saw first comment about fulfilled reward, I contacted the guy who posted it. After I realized that rumor is true, and get confirmation from few former backers more, I contacted USPCC directly. Of course, I was quite polite, and generally wanted to draw attention that they are also indrawn in felony of a kind. I sent them Washington's court verdict, few articles, some documents which confirms that I'm the owner of the artwork, and even copy of the contract between Nash and me, which clearly shows that Nash's license expired in August 27th, 2013.

I asked them when the deck is printed, in which print run, and with who they signed the deal to distribute my artwork, without my permission. I send them two emails with full documentation. And you know which answer I received? Non. They didn't answered on any of my emails.

Yes, in 2012. I set the art for printing with USPCC, but as far as I know it stayed that way. Looks like they just pull it out from their archives three years later, and printed it without my knowledge, and definitely without my permission, as soon as someone asked them to do it.

I really don't understand how firm of such renown, is willing to risk its own reputation like that. Especially by not answering to client. Really serious firm. They are ready to risk they reputation among the artists just because of one small ( I suppose 2.5k print run). Are they really that greedy? What the other artist who submits their artwork to USPCC will say about it? Does that mean that they are so untouchable that they can print whatever they want, without consequences, and regardless of copyrights?

Honestly? I'm tired of all the court processes by now... And I can understand Nash's desperate move to save his butt, but this lack of ethic from USPCC - that's what I don't understand. Don't answering to me, and ignoring my emails is such... Well, Nash-alike.

Playing Card Plethora / Re: Asylum Playing Cards Lawsuit

« on: May 05, 2015, 02:25:38 AM »

Don, please don't take it wrong, but I really don't want to discuss about production and printing techniques of cards, it's really not my stuff... off course, this is public board, and everyone have the right to express their opinion, but until guys from Noir Arts join the discussion, I feel like I'm on trial bench (hope that's the term in English), as their PR. Which I'm not.

Once again - these are not two entirely different sets of court cards - Clubs and Diamonds are changed, as I stated above. Spades and hearts are the same. We throw in few special cards. So, everything can be packed on 66 cards sheet.

If it's my decision I would do entirely new deck, believe me. But this is offered to me from Noir Arts, as the most cost effective solution at the moment. Yes, you're right, there's possibility to throw out a good portion of the cards by placing two decks at one sheet, but printing costs for those (per sheet) are so negligible (few cents), that we can afford it even per every deck. However, statistically it's almost impossible that people order dominantly one deck in favor of other.

Considering "suspicious pattern" of funding. Please, there's no any conspiracy theories, really... Explanation is quite simple - we contacted previous backers. I've got their emails. And just for the sake of possibility of scenario, yes we got fresh income of $2000 - But your assumption that "looks like someone created a new account or two and dropped enough cash to hit the goal in order to entice more backing", sounds pretty... Well, unreliable. Along with 2k income, 60 backers also joined our campaign- from number of 119 to 179, at the moment. It would be pretty big amount of work, that someone create 60 different accounts. And every account is accessible, so you can see history of backed projects. That simply can't be faked.

The good thing in all Nash's laziness is that I had to sort orders in previous campaign. I didn't run the campaign, but I had access to the account from which it was created. I wasn't to fond about that I have to sort orders at that time (because it should be the job of Nash), but this turned out as a great prize at the end - I kept order tables with emails, and backers' info. And thanks of that, we pushed Nash's fraudulence case to the court.
And thanks to those information, Roman would sort out previous backers, from new ones...

Once again, I'm really not here to defend guys from Noir arts. We're not connected by friendship, but by contract. And as long as they respect it - I'm fine with their acts.
I get it - you don't like these guys, Don. And that's perfectly OK, we are all humans. I don't like a lot of people I know, either... It's not normal to like all of them. It means you have a firm attitude. People who like all other people, are not the good people! Because there are some people who provoked hate, by their bad deeds.

But right here, I feel like I put myself between two sides, I respect equally. And that's totally unnecessary situation, so I wold leave the discussion about production, with all due respect for you, and people who follow the forum, and this particular thread.

But I'm open for all discussions regards the artwork, or future projects...

Playing Card Plethora / Re: Asylum Playing Cards Lawsuit

« on: May 04, 2015, 06:26:14 AM »

Agree with you, I would like to hear Roman's opinion.

But I think you didn't understood me - I'm not talking about "pre-printed stock sheets". What I tried to say is we don't have two sets of 54 cards (in our case 56). We have basic 56 cards in Asylum deck. Because we founded larger sheet of paper, we can place 66 cards on it. In BTTAsylum deck, not all the cards are different. Just two sets of court cards - Diamonds and Clubs. We have one special card which differs from "X card" of Asylum deck. There is additional card which would be released later, as a part of marketing plan.

But, all designs can be placed on 66 cards sheets. That way, we would be able to print two decks in one print run. There's no 112 different card designs, it' 66 different designs. We won't pay for two sets of printing plates - just for the one set. And quality of paper is the same quality of Defunctorum, as far as I know.

I hope it explains it...

Playing Card Plethora / Re: Asylum Playing Cards Lawsuit

« on: May 04, 2015, 03:38:41 AM »

And I must say - these questions of yours Don, are actually pretty great. I'm partially familiar with exact process of printing, but definitely aware what's happening behind the gates of Asylum, so I don't look on the campaign the same way as you do. Probably a lot of potential backers have same doubts as yours, just don't asking. So, this is great way to clear some of those doubts...

Playing Card Plethora / Re: Asylum Playing Cards Lawsuit

« on: May 04, 2015, 03:31:13 AM »

Well, I would be much happier if Roman would answer this, because this really isn't my domain, but he probably won't join this conversation, if he's not already.

These aren't printed in USPC, and to be honest - USPC got some pretty unreasonable prices, which are based mostly on the brand, instead on real costs. Noir Arts have some exclusive deals with one large European printing company, but I don't have habit to talk about something about I don't know all the facts - and don't want to interfere in their working policy and "behind the scene" deals, between firms.

As far as I know, Noir Arts ordering material of their own, so the costs of printing are lowered, because printing companies covers just the inks. (don't hold me 100% on this, I'm not sure, it's really not my domain).

If I'm not wrong, Chess decks was of the same quality as Defunctorum, although it was funded by far less sum. If you can lay hands on Defunctorum, you can check the quality.

And, be aware - we don't offer two entirely different decks, they differ by some special cards, and portion of court cards (so far), so it is just the variation. The secret behind that, is that Roman ordered some larger sheets, so we can place few cards more. Usually, companies have a stock of standard sheets, because it won't be profitable and they don't have a reason for different type of sheets. People usually make standard decks, with standard number of cards, so it would be pure loss, that large area of sheet stay unfilled.

That's why we are able to offer two decks instead of one. With same backgrounds, which also cut the expenses.

Of course, I would be much happier if I could offer two entirely different designs to backers, but right now, I think this is the best solution. There's no larger sheets than this one. I don't want to raise funding goals because of original Asylum. I won't feel good to offer same deck twice, regardless that scam wasn't my fault.
So, we promote BTTAsylum deck, we raising funds for it, and original Asylum is just a bonus for the people who really liked it, and still want to get it. I think it's fair deal.

Btw., we revealed some new promo art and few new court cards in update yesterday. I would rather discuss about art improvements, since that's the ground on which I'm firmly standing.

Playing Card Plethora / Re: Asylum Playing Cards Lawsuit

« on: May 03, 2015, 11:42:06 AM »

Don, if Roman screw up the campaign, I would end up in real Asylum!!!!

Joking aside... Noir art successfully funded several projects, and received pretty good feedbacks on latest delivered decks. I know that some serious artist have agreements with them to launch projects after mine is over, and that gives me trust in their intentions. They are trying to form some long term relationships and investing in future reputation of their firm. If they take seriously their business, they should modify that website, too. I agree with you, about that.

Maybe you're right, maybe you're wrong about the rest. Time will tell. I'm not primarily in card design business. I hooked up on cards as another interesting media for promoting my art. And it opened me totally new perspective... Since it wasn't my prime domain, I must admit I'm not familiar with publishing houses, and that's why I relied on recommendation of the friend who I trust - Max.

Hope this will not be my last deck, I've got several more designs in development phase. I'm considering this cooperation as experimental one, and based on success of the project, and Roman's seriousness depends would we continue to work on future projects, or not. At the moment, I really don't have complaints. Time will tell am I right...

Playing Card Plethora / Re: Asylum Playing Cards Lawsuit

« on: May 03, 2015, 04:30:10 AM »

Considering the art - I worked on upgraded version of the deck, along with all accompanying products for last six months. There's a lot of conceptual pieces and accompanying artwork.

I know there are some hater's theories about "selling the same thing twice", but that's not true.

From my point of view, we're not trying to offer same deck in three different packages. Three offered cases, I'm trying to consider as given option of choosing the case, for the same base funding goal of $5000.

Main deck we promote (Back to the Asylum) is not the same deck. It's improved version of Asylum. I made changes based on backers' and different forum members' suggestions. The only reason why we included "Asylum" is a gesture of appreciation, and certain obligation to previous backers. There are some people who liked it, and probably never gonna get it. There's more chance to get their money back, than the Original Asylum would be produced by Altius management. Ever.

Besides, I've got developed set of new court cards. Unfortunately, we can't offer it at the moment for the base goal of $5000. The reason why we didn't set higher goals, or announced new court cards in some higher stretch goals, is because we wanted to avoid theories about our "greediness" by selling same thing twice. I don't want to promise anything, we can't fulfill.

Maybe it's the matter of my obsession, because I was screwed up by Nash in first campaign, but for me now - it's more important to revive the original Asylum as it was, and to finish that story.

I'm in negotiations with Roman, to make some deals which would cut expenses of production, so we would be able to renew at least portion of court cards design, for the same funding goal. And have great story to support new court cards.

As I stated - original version of Asylum would be kept in its original form, but I'm ready for potential improvements on the "Back to the Asylum".

And guys, please, I really don't have anything to do with production and marketing, so I'm competent to talk just about the artwork matters. Hope that Roman would join discussion, too. He could provide you some information about other domains.

However, comments and suggestions are the most welcome...

Playing Card Plethora / Re: Asylum Playing Cards Lawsuit

« on: May 03, 2015, 03:50:23 AM »

Hi guys,

For those who don't know me, my name is Milan - I'm creator of Asylum artwork. Some of the guys from this forum, were active participants in basecamp organized against Ed Nash (scam producer of first project), if I'm not wrong. And I'm very grateful for that.

I'm not here to promote the art, nor trying to convince anyone to support "Back to the Asylum".

I'm here, hoping I would get few good advices. As an artist.

Don Boyer, I highly appreciate your opinion. Although I'm not active member of the forum, I remember you from the first campaign, and definitely remember some of yours well-intentioned advices, from that period. I appreciate that.

Also, I'm not here to defend Roman (guy behind Noir Arts), but I must share few thought of mine. To be honest, his presentation and website didn't instil great portion of trust neither, at the time he contacted me.

But, he is the only guy who was ready to offer me second chance, as a producer of project with really bad reputation. Knowing that could harm his firm. I don't know this guy personally. But I've got recommendations for him, from the person I trust very well. It's Max, from "MAx Playing Cards". He was great support during entire saga of Asylum, in last two and a half years.

I'm very cautious about associates, after all disaster with Nash's scam happened. Ed Nash had some serious clients in his portfolio (confirmed cooperation with Clint Eastwood, movie "Identical", comedian Daryl Lenox) , but that wasn't guarantee of his honesty. Turned out that he is professional scam artist, who funds his luxurious life and all that big projects, by small scam projects from a side. That's why I appreciate good recommendation from a friend, more than a fancy website. Don't get me wrong, I can't guarantee for the Roman, neither. But, be sure that I would contact KS administrator and wave with contract, as soon as I notice that Roman violated even smallest clause from it. And I won't hesitate to sue his ass off on the court, in more furious way than I did in Nash's case.
However, I have no reason to doubt in Roman's good intention, so far. I didn't rush into this. He contacted me in November. I wasn't fond of some of his former projects, nor do I agree with some of his business moves. I knew he screwed up with quality of "Demon" deck, so I waited by now to see reviews of Defunctorum and new projects. And reviews are more than satisfying, so far.
I believe in his good intentions, knowing he is a hard worker who putting real effort. And appreciate his honesty and transparency - after debacle of Demon deck, he didn't change his account and started from the beginning, although it would be much smarter business move. A lot of people from KS, decide to do that. He is open to his new and potential business partners who have insights of ups and downs of his firm. He would get much better rates based just on printing quality of his Defunctorum decks.

Considering different addresses... Well I suppose it's the same reason why I needed the mediator from the first place. As a foreigner, I wasn't allowed to start project on KS, since I don't have USA (UK, AUS..) social security number.

I'm also not native English speaker. Here and there, I made mistakes. I speak three languages with totally different etymologic roots, and three more based in similar dialects. We, guys from Eastern Europe and Balkan, simply don't think on English. And I know you won't mind if Roman makes some mistakes in unofficial post on forum or KS page, even. However, I agree with you, that kind of mistake is not acceptable on official presentation of serious firm, and publishing company. However, that's still brand in development process. Firm, which don't have hired professional translator, or can't afford him (I'm just guessing), there are just few guys armed with enthusiasm, behind it. Which can't be excuse, but explains a lot.

Sorry for such a huge post, I would talk about artwork in next ones... Because that's the only thing in front of which I can stand with my name, proudly. And I can guarantee for it. I can't guarantee for Noir arts, but point of my post is - I think we are on the same side here.

Don, your "accusations" are based on arguments, and I agree with a lot of them, but they can be accepted little harsh. To me, seems that Romans trying really hard. He made some rookie mistakes, but he is trying to made some improvements. And those improvements are obvious on his last products, no one can deny it.

I think he should join this discussion and except some advices, instead of taking them as insults. Although I understand him. Constant negative criticism can be excepted in quite offensive manner, especially when you are trying so hard.

So, without any pathetic - lets help each other, here. I know that are some pretty good artists in negotiation with Roman, at the moment. It would be a shame that some of great concepts suffer, because of misunderstanding and some personal vanity. It's time to set some things on a right path, or huge effort would be in vain...

Playing Card Plethora / Re: New KS Deck - Asylum

« on: October 07, 2012, 03:07:04 AM »

Hey everyone,

We have received many suggestions concerning the design of the back, and have decided to make one subtle change on it, by removing "Asylum logo". It is our hope and intent that this improvement will raise quality and value of the deck...

Playing Card Plethora / Re: New KS Deck - Asylum

« on: October 03, 2012, 03:55:33 AM »

Hello, guys and gals!

We are unconditionally happy about our first week on Kickstarter! Thanks for supporting the project, we really appreciate it, so as your comments and wise words of criticism. As a gesture of my gratitude, I prepared special gift for the loyal backers!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/213177064/asylum-playing-cards/posts

More surprises to come-- we are close to funding... please help us continue to promote --- the more we raise, the more specials we will bring you!

Cheers,
Milan

Playing Card Plethora / Re: New KS Deck - Asylum

« on: September 26, 2012, 12:40:23 AM »

Glad that deck gives you the creeps... It was the idea. Thanks.

Playing Card Plethora / Re: New KS Deck - Asylum

« on: September 25, 2012, 04:00:40 AM »

Thanks, guys.

To be honest, 4 P.M.'s design of The Grid, was a huge motivation to start all this. So I truly appreciate your comments, without any empty words of flattering.

Well Kenneth, whole idea came from pure affection to retro horror movies... Hope that video resembles to one...

Playing Card Plethora / Re: New KS Deck - Asylum

« on: September 25, 2012, 03:07:35 AM »

John, thanks for the welcoming words. Well, this definitely isn't "everyone's cup of tea", we knew it from the start. However, I hope this deck would find its public...

Playing Card Plethora / New KS Deck - Asylum

« on: September 25, 2012, 02:48:05 AM »

Hi Lads and Lassies!!!!

This is my humble contribution to the playing cards community... After months and months of work, we launched this deck, just few hours ago. Maybe you would find it interesting:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/213177064/asylum-playing-cards?ref=search

"Relish the embrace of inexplicably long sleeves..."

Cheers!!!

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