Author (Read 16702 times)

Russell CircleCityCards · « **Reply #25 on:** January 24, 2012, 10:07:31 AM »

Before I went the Kickstarter route I asked for samples from them. They sent me 6 different decks with 3 different thicknesses (280 300 320, i think) and 2 different paper types (dimpled and smooth)

The thickness of the paper was just fine, even the 280, and the paper type was good. The cut edges were horrible for any type of use other than playing Go-Fish. I am not proficient in flourishing, so I did the old stand by; placing the deck on the table and pressing my knuckles down and twisting. Instead of a nice spiral fan, I got 15 or so clumps of cards. Also, the Finish was a bit tacky, not horrible, but enough even I could tell the difference.

--edit--
Almost all of the third party card websites use the same manufacturer in the USA and China. Exceptions would be Gemaco, Paulson, etc.
--edit--

TL:DR
They would be great for business as promotional items, not for poker or flourishing.

Don Boyer · « **Reply #26 on:** January 24, 2012, 10:17:31 AM »

Quote from: RWKercheval on January 24, 2012, 10:07:31 AM

Before I went the Kickstarter route I asked for samples from them. They sent me 6 different decks with 3 different thicknesses (280 300 320, i think) and 2 different paper types (dimpled and smooth)

The thickness of the paper was just fine, even the 280, and the paper type was good. The cut edges were horrible for any type of use other than playing Go-Fish. I am not proficient in flourishing, so I did the old stand by; placing the deck on the table and pressing my knuckles down and twisting. Instead of a nice spiral fan, I got 15 or so clumps of cards. Also, the Finish was a bit tacky, not horrible, but enough even I could tell the difference.

--edit--
Almost all of the third party card websites use the same manufacturer in the USA and China. Exceptions would be Gemaco, Paulson, etc.
--edit--

TL:DR
They would be great for business as promotional items, not for poker or flourishing.

/thread

Lousy cutting, terrible finish. Awesome.

Just what *I* always look for in a custom deck...

Hey, Russ - what's the latest word on the Americanas, regarding the release date? I'm down for 150 decks!

Russell CircleCityCards · « **Reply #27 on:** January 24, 2012, 10:34:03 AM »

Requested Derailing Commencing....

The Americana decks HOPEFULLY will be out in late February, but it could be early March. Once the decks come in though, you will be getting them fast, I am having a fulfillment company pack and ship everything for me!

On a side note: Adam's 'Revision 1' decks should be shipping VERY soon. We had to wait a bit on shipping supplies.

Kanped · « **Reply #28 on:** January 24, 2012, 12:08:39 PM »

I really like the artwork on these but if they're going to be badly printed and crappy cards, I'm happy looking at the artwork on a computer screen. I hope he keeps going and gives us something we can really get excited for down the line, though.

Don Boyer · « **Reply #29 on:** January 24, 2012, 11:31:43 PM »

Quote from: RWKercheval on January 24, 2012, 10:34:03 AM

Requested Derailing Commencing....

The Americana decks HOPEFULLY will be out in late February, but it could be early March. Once the decks come in though, you will be getting them fast, I am having a fulfillment company pack and ship everything for me!

On a side note: Adam's 'Revision 1' decks should be shipping VERY soon. We had to wait a bit on shipping supplies.

Thanks for the side track...

You mentioned Paulson as a non-USPC self-manufacturer - what's their quality like?

Russell CircleCityCards · « **Reply #30 on:** January 25, 2012, 01:28:54 AM »

Casino.

At least in the large scale, I can not speak for the 'custom' division. I have a few casino canceled decks from them and I have no complaints, nice cuts and fans.

Evan · « **Reply #31 on:** January 30, 2012, 06:54:06 PM »

These are looking like they will definitely succeed!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1762124010/steampunk-playing-cards?ref=live

dmbaggs · « **Reply #32 on:** January 30, 2012, 09:24:13 PM »

Quote from: MagicAddictz on January 30, 2012, 06:54:06 PM

These are looking like they will definitely succeed!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1762124010/steampunk-playing-cards?ref=live

Wow that really surprises me!! I didn't think this one would make it. Did anybody here back this deck?

kensei777 · « **Reply #33 on:** January 30, 2012, 10:13:19 PM »

Hmm... Is it really possible? I mean I agree, its absurd. If it is, it'll most likely be crappy stock and finish. I checked it out and he said he's gunning for http://www.customizedplayingcards.com/.
Do you guys have any idea what they dish out? Anybody experienced going through them?

EDIT: Oh right. Sorry browser issue. Didn't see the other posts. Nevermind.

Lara Krystle "Lane" · « **Reply #34 on:** January 31, 2012, 01:11:17 AM »

OMG! WTF is that? Its so tacky! I'd go for Chris Angel's deck over this (even if I'm not a big fan of his playing cards) But... ew. looks like the cards have scabs. And the king loos like it came out from Plants Vs Zombies... That is so not steam punk.
**sad**
but oh well. kudos for the effort though.

as for the customizedplayingcards.com IMO I think its main focus is just for those who wants a souvenier, a gveaway, not for HARDCORE card enthusiasts like us.

Don Boyer · « **Reply #35 on:** January 31, 2012, 01:26:29 AM »

I see a few reasons why this deck is going to make it.

1) Slap the name "steampunk" on anything today, and there's a hardcore market of posers who will snap it up as if their lives depended on it. Especially if it has "faux steampunk" elements to it like cogs for hairpieces and necklaces and rust on everything. As the concept of steampunk filters to the general public, it's being twisted, filtered and watered down. This deck is one of the countless contributing factors.

2) The "goal" was so insanely low. I don't know if I could make them with my computer, printer and some cheap card stock for that price!

3) They're going with a crap-quality manufacturer.

If these guys were serious about making a deck, they wouldn't have used the company they did. They just wanted to see it get off the ground, period. Worse, it wouldn't surprise me in the least to learn they failed to cover certain surprise costs related to the level of customization they're aiming for - meaning that even if they hit their mark and beyond, they may still fail to get this project off the ground.

It's wait and see. Or more like sit back and watch, since I wouldn't buy this deck. It's more like a train wreck about to happen. You see the train, you see the broken track, you know the train can't stop, but it still has time before it gets there... Pretty, perfect-looking train...

moonexe · « **Reply #36 on:** January 31, 2012, 01:34:37 AM »

Quote from: Good@Sabacc on January 31, 2012, 01:26:29 AM

2) The "goal" was so insanely low. I don't know if I could make them with my computer, printer and some cheap card stock for that price!

Then you should invest in a more effective printer! Those cheap inkjet printers are easy to buy but cost a fortune in ink!

It's really sad to see how much success you can have with such a low-quality product. All that money could go in much better hands if the market wasn't saturated with crap like this.
And I don't mean playing cards specifically, the same goes for a LOT of things.

Lara Krystle "Lane" · « **Reply #37 on:** January 31, 2012, 01:38:04 AM »

Quote from: Good@Sabacc on January 31, 2012, 01:26:29 AM

I see a few reasons why this deck is going to make it.

1) Slap the name "steampunk" on anything today, and there's a hardcore market of posers who will snap it up as if their lives depended on it. Especially if it has "faux steampunk" elements to it like cogs for hairpieces and necklaces and rust on everything. As the concept of steampunk filters to the general public, it's being twisted, filtered and watered down. This deck is one of the countless contributing factors.

2) The "goal" was so insanely low. I don't know if I could make them with my computer, printer and some cheap card stock for that price!

3) They're going with a crap-quality manufacturer.

If these guys were serious about making a deck, they wouldn't have used the company they did. They just wanted to see it get off the ground, period. Worse, it wouldn't surprise me in the least to learn they failed to cover certain surprise costs related to the level of customization they're aiming for - meaning that even if they hit their mark and beyond, they may still fail to get this project off the ground.

It's wait and see. Or more like sit back and watch, since I wouldn't buy this deck. It's more like a train wreck about to happen. You see the train, you see the broken track, you know the train can't stop, but it still has time before it gets there... Pretty, perfect-looking train...

I have to say... I love all of your replies and responses to posts.

I wish I can convey my thoughts in that manner. hahaha! Sometimes I just feel so illiterate! LoL! Thus the memes!

but yeah. your are right. Label anything steampunk and lots of people will like it. So weird. My sister loves steam punk. I don't. rust scares the bajeezus out of me.

Well at least they were able to make/design a deck of some sort. That is an accomplishment on its own. I can't draw.

dmbaggs · « **Reply #38 on:** January 31, 2012, 01:42:04 AM »

Yeah I give them props for making it this far. I have my doubts (like @sabacc) about what that price will cover though. I don't think it's sad that they succeed though. It would be if they marketed it as a deck for magicians/flourishers. If they do end up making it all the way and get this printed, I'm happy for them

moonexe · « **Reply #39 on:** January 31, 2012, 01:50:44 AM »

Quote from: krystlelane on January 31, 2012, 01:38:04 AM

I wish I can convey my thoughts in that manner. hahaha! Sometimes I just feel so illiterate! LoL! Thus the memes!

Illiterate? Your English is noticeably better than a lot of posters around here, I wouldn't feel too bad about it if I were you.

Is English your first language, by the way?

Quote

Well at least they were able to make/design a deck of some sort. That is an accomplishment on its own. I can't draw.

You can participate indirectly by giving feedback/suggestions on other people's designs! I would certainly appreciate your thoughts on my design in progress, and I'm sure everyone would as well on their respective decks. Go have a look in the Design & Development board if you'd like to.

Edit: I made that a clickable link without trying! It's magic!

Don Boyer · « **Reply #40 on:** January 31, 2012, 02:19:45 AM »

Quote from: krystlelane on January 31, 2012, 01:38:04 AM

I have to say... I love all of your replies and responses to posts. I wish I can convey my thoughts in that manner. hahaha! Sometimes I just feel so illiterate! LoL! Thus the memes!

but yeah. your are right. Label anything steampunk and lots of people will like it. So weird. My sister loves steam punk. I don't. rust scares the bajeezus out of me.

Well at least they were able to make/design a deck of some sort. That is an accomplishment on its own. I can't draw.

Thanks for the compliment, Krystal. Now you're making me blush...

Moon.exe said it nicely when he mentioned that 1) your English puts that of many people on these boards to shame and b) you don't have to have any skill at art per se to be a contributing factor in a deck's design. I've given input to a few decks around here and I've contributed to their creation by sponsoring them through Kickstarter. I may have a bit of a sense of style, but I couldn't draw my way out of a paper bag... You don't have to be an artist to appreciate art.

Quote from: brown_baggs on January 31, 2012, 01:42:04 AM

Yeah I give them props for making it this far. I have my doubts (like @sabacc) about what that price will cover though. I don't think it's sad that they succeed though. It would be if they marketed it as a deck for magicians/flourishers. If they do end up making it all the way and get this printed, I'm happy for them

Hey, I'd never begrudge a business its success. Steampunk posers have cash to spend, just like any other fools!

More seriously, though, if the deck has a market, and it's meeting that market's needs/wants/desires, fantastic, more power to 'em. But the majority of the people on this board aren't likely part of that market. The only way that would change is if he really tightened up his design and aimed for higher production values in the finished product instead of settling for whatever was cheapest. (I did notice that he completely changed the back design - it's no longer a rip-off of the Actuators deck, but it's also an obvious one-way now.) The card design game has become a contest of "go big or go home," and this kid isn't going big. (Hell, even the Buck Twins could use a lesson in that after their last several releases!)

xela · « **Reply #41 on:** January 31, 2012, 05:09:55 PM »

I don't call what they did "success" really. They have 1/5th of the backers I got, which is actually a large amount for a deck with zero marketing, zero quality, and zero push. In terms of people backing them that's quite a bit. However, the designers are in for a real let down soon enough. I had about 500 backers and raised $30k. He has about 100 and raised $2,000. The math is simple here: Shipping fees will murder it.

Let's look at his best case scenario here:

He makes 100 shipments at $6 per package to domestic buyers only. That already is $600. That's over 25% of his cost of printing. When you create pricing and Kickstarter packages, you have to account for every cost. I lost money on all of my 1-2 deck sales. Every time someone pledged for one of those, that's cash out of my pocket. However, the 3+ sales counter balanced the others as well as shipping costs. I had to find a healthy balance between allowing for bulk discounts and free shipping, and charging enough money to pay for all associated costs.

There are insane hidden costs as well. Here are some:

Income taxes
Fees
Bank fees
Business license
Sales taxes
Shipping taxes
Shipping fees
Shipping tracking & insurance
International shipping

and with the USPCC, you have charges for every possible thing from proofs to customization and not only do metallic inks cost money to produce, but they charge a whole bunch to actually edit your work to be compatible with the inks.

I wouldn't envy this project, they're in for a real disappointment and it's never fun to see that unfold.

Evan · « **Reply #42 on:** January 31, 2012, 05:13:24 PM »

Well its not a success yet

I have a feeling that the guy who is selling them, may not know about all those hidden costs.

dmbaggs · « **Reply #43 on:** January 31, 2012, 05:24:09 PM »

I'm sure the hidden fees will be tough and may kill this project.

When I spoke of the most likely success of this deck I was referring to it in terms that they set. If we were to look at it on a large scale this wouldn't compare to any of the other Kickstarter decks.

If they do end up getting the funds and making it past the hidden fees, then good for them. They made an average or below average deck. That's what they set out to do and they did it! Congrats to them haha

Lara Krystle "Lane" · « **Reply #44 on:** January 31, 2012, 11:40:31 PM »

Quote from: Moon.exe on January 31, 2012, 01:50:44 AM

Quote from: krystlelane on January 31, 2012, 01:38:04 AM
I wish I can convey my thoughts in that manner. hahaha! Sometimes I just feel so illiterate! LoL! Thus the memes!

Illiterate? Your English is noticeably better than a lot of posters around here, I wouldn't feel too bad about it if I were you. Is English your first language, by the way?

Quote
Well at least they were able to make/design a deck of some sort. That is an accomplishment on its own. I can't draw.
You can participate indirectly by giving feedback/suggestions on other people's designs! I would certainly appreciate your thoughts on my design in progress, and I'm sure everyone would as well on their respective decks. Go have a look in the Design & Development board if you'd like to.

Edit: I made that a clickable link without trying! It's magic!

English is not really my First language, but i grew up in an english speaking environment (mostly).

ReaganM · « **Reply #45 on:** February 03, 2012, 03:17:00 PM »

Ive been following this forum for a long time, and even though I cant change your guys minds about the quality of the card stock and the art, I want to at least state that I do know about all those hidden costs. Our printer has a very low starting print run, and at 2000$ we can easily get all the decks out that we need and scrape away with a few extra bucks for more printing.

The funny thing is I am also getting a few backers from this forum and the unitedcardists forum, even though the consensus seems to be on both forums that my cards suck lol. Well no hard feelings I dont mind that you guys dont like the cards themselves the thing that bugged me was when people seemed to think that I didnt do my math. No we wont make much money if it stays at 2000, but then again we wont lose any either.

NathanCanadas · « **Reply #46 on:** February 03, 2012, 03:37:12 PM »

Ah, it seems he just øwned us lol.

ReaganM · « **Reply #47 on:** February 03, 2012, 03:44:50 PM »

Just trying to defend myself a little bit, dont really think Im gonna change anyones mind. So no, none of you got "owned."

On a side note what do you guys think of the new art for the deck, its constantly changing via our backers demands.

Evan · « **Reply #48 on:** February 03, 2012, 04:32:54 PM »

Quote from: ReaganM on February 03, 2012, 03:44:50 PM

Just trying to defend myself a little bit, dont really think Im gonna change anyones mind. So no, none of you got "owned."

On a side note what do you guys think of the new art for the deck, its constantly changing via our backers demands.

I still like the front designs a lot. But the back design just kills it for me! It looks too much like Lance T. Miller's Actuators decks and it is just too plain.

xela · « **Reply #49 on:** February 03, 2012, 04:34:12 PM »

Reagan, you can't change our minds about the stock and finish because we actually know all the different stocks and finishes. Your cards can't be used for practical applications.

As I stated earlier, the artwork itself is not bad at all, the issue is how cluttered the faces are, the lack of contrast, and the fact that despite a "Steampunk" label, nothing about the design is actually Steampunk. If anything, it's industrial.

Take our suggestions constructively. You'll always get backers from here and UC, not everyone is a collector of practical decks or USPCC decks. That doesn't change objective truths about the product, and nothing said is directed towards you. Everyone here knows a lot about cards, so take these guys' advice and you can go very far.

Good luck!