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Is it me or there are just too many playing card KS projects as of late

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Kenneth

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I mean what is going on playing card projects popping up one after the other like a zubat in a cave and most of them aren't bad either

check this thread for recent KS or playing cards release
http://aethercards.com/discourse/playing-card-plethora/the-new-deck-report/

but it's quite surprising the amount of KS projects popping out as of late
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Re: Is it me or there are just too many playing card KS projects as of late
« Reply #1 on: September 18, 2012, 09:27:47 AM »
 

Noobmachine

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Maybe everyone's just trying get in on the action, what with the recent trend of new T11 and E decks maybe the small companies wanna strut their stuff too? That said my wallet really can't keep up with these releases, there are way too many good quality decks out there and not enough money in my wallet. I probably can only afford to back 1 of these KS decks at a time as well....
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Re: Is it me or there are just too many playing card KS projects as of late
« Reply #2 on: September 18, 2012, 10:53:28 AM »
 

Knobz1

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I mean what is going on playing card projects popping up one after the other like a zubat in a cave and most of them aren't bad either

check this thread for recent KS or playing cards release
http://aethercards.com/discourse/playing-card-plethora/the-new-deck-report/

but it's quite surprising the amount of KS projects popping out as of late
My thoughts exactly. Im backing the Quicksilver deck right now but thats it.  No more kickstarter decks.  This is just getting out of control.  Im only buying what I like, I dont need every single deck that comes out.  No more kickstarter for me.
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Re: Is it me or there are just too many playing card KS projects as of late
« Reply #3 on: September 18, 2012, 12:12:58 PM »
 

xela

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Know what KS really has too much of, though? iPhone/Pod accessories. :|
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Re: Is it me or there are just too many playing card KS projects as of late
« Reply #4 on: October 02, 2012, 08:33:11 AM »
 

jhayel84

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I guess everyone wants to strut their stuff and make a profit! So many new decks and I like most of them!
 

Re: Is it me or there are just too many playing card KS projects as of late
« Reply #5 on: October 02, 2012, 01:05:41 PM »
 

Paul Carpenter

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KS is a great way to get into things, and it does seem like the general quality of projects has risen lately. That's certainly nice to see, there were some big stinkers a while ago.

I am, however, extremely pleased that I will not have to rely on KS for Aurum. :)
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Re: Is it me or there are just too many playing card KS projects as of late
« Reply #6 on: October 02, 2012, 01:36:47 PM »
 

Cipher Kai

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I agree, there are too many decks on KS.  Mine being one of them I want all the attention. ME ME ME!  OK seriously, from our point of view after seeing some of the amazing decks on KS and being a gamer and game company owner I saw it as a really cool way to show off our talented artists work in a new way going back to my roots of gaming before Magic: The Gathering or any of the CCG even existed (and I even got to workon a few of those).  I think a lot of other talented people saw the same thing from the early KS.
« Last Edit: October 02, 2012, 01:37:10 PM by Cipher Kai »
 

Re: Is it me or there are just too many playing card KS projects as of late
« Reply #7 on: October 02, 2012, 08:05:39 PM »
 

dennis63

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I guess everyone wants to strut their stuff and make a profit! So many new decks and I like most of them!

This thread is sad news for me, and others like me who have a kickstarter deck live right now. But you really don't make money with kickstarter.

Maybe a few decks will, Kickstarter stays pretty quiet about the actual cost of a project.

kickstarter's fees (5 percent)
amazon payments fees (3 to 5 percent)
cost of goods sent out as rewards (it's supposed to be 100 percent of your goal)
cost of other reward programs (special events, etc.)
shipping costs (can be 35 to 40 percent)
advertising costs (the sky's the limit)
packaging costs (5 to 10 percent)
advertising and promoting your project (again, watch your wallet)

Well, I'm sure you guys know this already...

 

Re: Is it me or there are just too many playing card KS projects as of late
« Reply #8 on: October 02, 2012, 11:15:55 PM »
 

vmagic

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Yeah there's an awful lot on there right now, especially considering that a few weeks ago there wasn't anything new on there and now all of sudden there's like 10 of them on there and more to come. The new Compass deck is supposed to be on there in the next week or two that I know of and there might be more. Sadly some of the decks won't get funded. So far looks like the Elements, Key West Casino, and Darkana appear to be doomed and the Black Tie Bicycles aren't doing so great either. But most of these still have some time to find some support except maybe the Darkana, which I never personally backed because it doesn't look like it is going to get funded and because the prices are weird.
 

Re: Is it me or there are just too many playing card KS projects as of late
« Reply #9 on: October 03, 2012, 01:44:45 AM »
 

Don Boyer

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Kai, Dennis - yes, a Kickstarter project is a godsend and a nightmare at the same time.  It's an opportunity you would never have otherwise had to get your designs made, BUT at the same time you're beholden to MANY, MANY people, and in some ways it can actually increase the cost of getting your deck made than if it was privately funded.

Paul (Encarded) raised a very good point - there were a lot of godsawful deck projects that came and went in recent months, the vast majority of which never got funded.  This doesn't mean your decks are terrible in any way - but it does mean you have stiff competition, more so than probably at any previous time on Kickstarter.  You need to make your project truly shine and you need to do a lot of legwork promoting your deck.

Dennis - as far as I know, the minority of such projects actually pay for advertising.  Whether that's a smart move or not remains to be seen and is for you alone to determine.  It does, however, increase your costs and cut into your profits, without a doubt.  Do some legwork on your own; be a PRESENCE on the card forums, both this type and the type that cater more to the poker playing crowd.  Promote the deck to anyone who bought your KWCR poker chips - they're a natural choice for your deck.

Kai - well, as long as you don't let up, I think you're well on your way to getting funded.  But this doesn't mean you should be resting on your laurels.  The more you promote, the more pledges you get, the more successful your project becomes - and the better the overfunding goals you can set and reach.  Not to mention making a profit!

Remember one thing about Kickstarter - it's just what the name implies, a kick start into the world of making whatever it is you're making, be it cards, artwork, tchotchkes, whatever.  It's meant more as a launching point than a crutch.  Find ways to make your projects insanely successful, and you'll have enough funding to make your one deck project into a deck design house, no longer dependent on getting backers, small or large.  Circle City Card Company is an excellent example - they still throw some projects on Kickstarter, but they're also getting some done with no attachment to Kickstarter at all.  Why?  Because they've been VERY successful with their projects and they've made the maximum number of people aware of it, particularly those with an interest in playing cards of their type.

I suspect that for companies like CCCC that do return, it's more a matter of expanding their customer base as Kickstarter continues to grow from some cool, hip thing your artist friends told you about to something that your parents discuss over after-dinner drinks together, then finally to something even your grandparents are using.  It might seem less cool or hip when that happens, but so what?  It's been YEARS since eBay was "cool", but it's frickin' HUGE now and practically everyone you know has at least heard of it, if not used it to buy or sell items.  Same thing for brands like Amazon, Google, Travelocity...the list goes on, longer by the year.

More competition is a very good thing.  It means that the crap decks of the recent past are far less likely to raise their heads, or gain any positive attention if they do, because so many fantastic deck projects make theirs look shabby by comparison.  It forces people to do their best or fall by the wayside.  But even if you fail, it would not be the first time a deck project failed, only to come back revived and improved, succeeding where the first effort didn't.  Best example that comes to my mind is the Deck of the Living Dead, by Bent Castle Workshops.  If nothing else, the experience becomes a life lesson - but I'm sure you would prefer it becoming a big success instead!

Guys, go forth, spread the word, let every potential donor know your project is just that much more special than the others - and become successes!

(I'm starting to feel like the Gipper...)  :))
« Last Edit: October 03, 2012, 01:50:59 AM by Don Boyer »
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Re: Is it me or there are just too many playing card KS projects as of late
« Reply #10 on: October 03, 2012, 02:23:45 AM »
 

jhayel84

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I saw pledge of 1 uncut sheet and 2 decks for a Medusa deck and the international shipping is $25 whilst the other active kickstarter projects only charges $17 or $18. If someone can confirm if this price is correct? It seems excessive to me
 

Re: Is it me or there are just too many playing card KS projects as of late
« Reply #11 on: October 03, 2012, 02:30:34 AM »
 

Don Boyer

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I saw pledge of 1 uncut sheet and 2 decks for a Medusa deck and the international shipping is $25 whilst the other active kickstarter projects only charges $17 or $18. If someone can confirm if this price is correct? It seems excessive to me

Sure - if perhaps you asked this question in the topic for the Medusa deck and not here, in the topic about why there's so many Kickstarter deck projects right now...

If you want a confirmation of comparative pricing, you can also look in the New Deck Report.  The NDR maintains links to all active and still-undistributed deck projects on Kickstarter.  It's a good read, trust me - I write it...

http://aethercards.com/discourse/playing-card-plethora/the-new-deck-report

If you want to know more, post it in the appropriate topic, please.
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Re: Is it me or there are just too many playing card KS projects as of late
« Reply #12 on: October 03, 2012, 02:42:24 AM »
 

jhayel84

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Sorry.. Thanks for the info Don  :)
« Last Edit: October 03, 2012, 02:43:23 AM by jhayel84 »
 

Re: Is it me or there are just too many playing card KS projects as of late
« Reply #13 on: October 03, 2012, 05:06:37 AM »
 

LauR

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I'm also astounded by the the funding given to certain decks. I mean, the Cthulhu deck has raised 68k almost which simply dumbfounds me.
« Last Edit: October 03, 2012, 05:07:01 AM by LauR »
 

Re: Is it me or there are just too many playing card KS projects as of late
« Reply #14 on: October 03, 2012, 05:16:22 AM »
 

Don Boyer

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I'm also astounded by the the funding given to certain decks. I mean, the Cthulhu deck has raised 68k almost which simply dumbfounds me.

I'm very surprised as well.  It was so popular, they not only made a green, limited-edition version of the deck, but when that sold out, they created a red, unlimited version with a different deck back design, same faces.

I didn't think it was that great of a deck, but that has absolutely no effect on all those who funded it!  :))

We've also had two new projects this week that hit their goal within about 24-36 hours of starting - the Bohemia deck by Uusi and the oddly-named "Misc. Goods Co." deck.  It's making me wonder what the record is for a deck project hitting its goal...
« Last Edit: October 03, 2012, 05:19:16 AM by Don Boyer »
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Re: Is it me or there are just too many playing card KS projects as of late
« Reply #15 on: October 03, 2012, 04:58:57 PM »
 

Paul Carpenter

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It is very interesting, actually. When I did Tendril, there were just a handful of card projects on there. There were, I think, 3 other people out there seriously doing card design work. A number of months went by and then we started to see some substandard work sprinkled with the occasional nice one, which went on for a while, and then just in the last month or so there has been a literal explosion of decks (many of which are quite nice). What are we, up to 16 active right now?

I am stunned by some of the funding as well. I think that it's quite clear that decks with well known themes are appealing to people that probably have nothing to do with card collecting. They just see a theme/character they like and buy it because of the franchise. Word spreads and off it goes.

Clearly, Kickstarter transitioned from a barely known niche to a primary place for people interested in making a deck of cards, and all that seems to have happened in about the last 3 months. What I'm most interested in seeing is how many of these projects end up "truly successful" in the sense that all the rewards are shipped quickly, that backers are pleased, that the designers go on to do more. The design work is relatively easy in comparison to some of those other parts.

Lots of great ideas out there, and seemingly lots of people willing to spend money, that's for sure.
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Re: Is it me or there are just too many playing card KS projects as of late
« Reply #16 on: October 03, 2012, 07:35:11 PM »
 

xela

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It is very interesting, actually. When I did Tendril, there were just a handful of card projects on there. There were, I think, 3 other people out there seriously doing card design work. A number of months went by and then we started to see some substandard work sprinkled with the occasional nice one, which went on for a while, and then just in the last month or so there has been a literal explosion of decks (many of which are quite nice). What are we, up to 16 active right now?

I am stunned by some of the funding as well. I think that it's quite clear that decks with well known themes are appealing to people that probably have nothing to do with card collecting. They just see a theme/character they like and buy it because of the franchise. Word spreads and off it goes.

Clearly, Kickstarter transitioned from a barely known niche to a primary place for people interested in making a deck of cards, and all that seems to have happened in about the last 3 months. What I'm most interested in seeing is how many of these projects end up "truly successful" in the sense that all the rewards are shipped quickly, that backers are pleased, that the designers go on to do more. The design work is relatively easy in comparison to some of those other parts.

Lots of great ideas out there, and seemingly lots of people willing to spend money, that's for sure.

When you did Tendril I remember thinking there were already quite a few projects on the loose. When I announced Vortex, I was going to be the third KS project for cards if my memory serves me right. Then during the funding, Americana and the BW Actuators came out. I thought back then that it was difficult fighting for market share, because people do have spending limits.

When Tendril came along, as well as several others, I knew for a fact you guys would have an even harder time getting funding, and now I am even more amazed by how some people manage to get the money needed.

Keep in mind though, KS traffic has increased immensely since even a few months ago. While there may be 3x the card projects, there could perhaps be 5x the market.

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Re: Is it me or there are just too many playing card KS projects as of late
« Reply #17 on: October 03, 2012, 09:19:02 PM »
 

jhayel84

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I know I have an option whether to back the project or pledge additional extras but its hard not to! lol

Are uncut sheets worth getting for resale if I decided not to keep it?
 

Re: Is it me or there are just too many playing card KS projects as of late
« Reply #18 on: October 03, 2012, 10:26:08 PM »
 

KPopFever605

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True, there have been many Kickstarter projects recently, but there are only a few that are long-lasting and desirable.
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Re: Is it me or there are just too many playing card KS projects as of late
« Reply #19 on: October 04, 2012, 11:38:11 PM »
 

Don Boyer

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What are we, up to 16 active right now?



You'd know if you just looked at my report...  :))


http://aethercards.com/discourse/playing-card-plethora/the-new-deck-report


Keep in mind though, KS traffic has increased immensely since even a few months ago. While there may be 3x the card projects, there could perhaps be 5x the market.



Might be more like ten times the market, if not more...  It's getting known.


Are uncut sheets worth getting for resale if I decided not to keep it?


Why buy them, then?


Sometimes an uncut goes up in value.  It's a crap shoot.  Playing cards and related items as investments is not the world's most sound investment, I would think.
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Re: Is it me or there are just too many playing card KS projects as of late
« Reply #20 on: October 05, 2012, 12:39:02 AM »
 

jhayel84

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I buy them coz I like the design and I also post them on my wall. Sometimes we regret buying things for a lot of reasons! e.g. received uncut sheet looks different from what was advertised. I might have to sell one and find out if I could at least break even! lol

But I agree that playing cards and related items as investments is not the world's most sound investment!
« Last Edit: October 05, 2012, 12:41:36 AM by jhayel84 »