Author (Read 5154 times)

Rob Wright · « **on:** July 31, 2013, 11:10:22 AM »

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1679981149/bicycle-emperor-playing-cards-by-uspcc?ref=recently_launched

Project by Joanne Lin

First Created, $1,000 Goal $10 for 1, $19 for 2

Quote from front page "There are very few risks in funding this project. Bicycle Emperor is already close to production with the US Playing Card Company. The low goal for this campaign is set to ensure that everyone on Kickstarter can get their decks if we reach the $1000 goal."

MrMollusk · « **Reply #1 on:** July 31, 2013, 12:09:50 PM »

I absolutely love this deck. It looks absolutely amazing.

The $1,000 goal is a bit suspect, though. Even with the cards in production.

Magic_Orthodoxy · « **Reply #2 on:** July 31, 2013, 12:30:43 PM »

Yea she says "There are very few risks in funding this project. Bicycle Emperor is already close to production with the US Playing Card Company. The low goal for this campaign is set to ensure that everyone on Kickstarter can get their decks if we reach the $1000 goal."

MrMollusk · « **Reply #3 on:** July 31, 2013, 12:42:37 PM »

Quote from: Magic_Orthodoxy on July 31, 2013, 12:30:43 PM

Yea she says "There are very few risks in funding this project. Bicycle Emperor is already close to production with the US Playing Card Company. The low goal for this campaign is set to ensure that everyone on Kickstarter can get their decks if we reach the $1000 goal."

Yeh. Changed my comment after I saw she already had the go-ahead.

But that means she had/has to pay out of pocket, if she wanted to start production.

Magic_Orthodoxy · « **Reply #4 on:** July 31, 2013, 12:44:21 PM »

yea, no clue. We'll have to see

John B. · « **Reply #5 on:** July 31, 2013, 03:33:40 PM »

With a low goal I would rather no fund it, seems a bit off. But I do love the design.

Bill Collins · « **Reply #6 on:** July 31, 2013, 07:20:02 PM »

I like this deck as well, but the goal ?I don't know, think I will just grab a deck after there made

GBAllison · « **Reply #7 on:** July 31, 2013, 09:41:09 PM »

I love this deck. But it *cries* for a double deck--matching decks with alternate-color backs.

Don Boyer · « **Reply #8 on:** August 01, 2013, 08:51:16 AM »

From all appearances, it looks like the deck was going to be privately financed but the designer opted to use Kickstarter as a way to get the word out - it's a built-in audience, and as much as the people who made KS don't want to admit it, it's also a marketplace. Remember, the goal for Paul Carpenter's Deco was only $1,000, too. But I do still hesitate because of the possibility that there's either a scammer or a clueless kid behind the project. If I were still buying cards, I'd call this deck a wait-for-retail, since it's obviously headed there anyway. I can likely do without the extra doodads that will be offered eventually as rewards.

And one more thing - that back. It's beautiful, but without more contrast it's going to look like mud when it's printed.

EDIT: I just noticed her profile photo - she is not a child. I'm left to think this is a deck that was to be professionally funded, but was brought to KS for its built-in audience of collectors. I've invited Ms. Lin to come by and perhaps become a member. And I would "upgrade" this to a back-it-now, as well!

CrankUP · « **Reply #9 on:** August 01, 2013, 11:55:33 PM »

Ok...being Chinese...I am absolutely AMAZED at this deck.

Going to try to make some money so I can pledge that $105!

Magic_Orthodoxy · « **Reply #10 on:** August 02, 2013, 09:26:25 PM »

well if you were on the fence with this deck - the opportunity has passed you by - she sold out

Don Boyer · « **Reply #11 on:** August 03, 2013, 03:41:11 AM »

Apparently the KS was for only 700 decks of the 2,500-deck run. The remaining 1,800 will go to retailers.

You should check out the comments page - a lot of people are concerned that the project's creator is hiding some pertinent details from them and is not really answering some of the questions they've posed.

Another big question: they've sold the 700 decks - now what? Sit around waiting four weeks? There's nothing else left in any of the tiers. It's one of the more bizarre KS projects I've ever seen.

Alex Willis · « **Reply #12 on:** August 05, 2013, 12:01:54 PM »

I missed the launch, I would so have been on board for this deck. How can you "sell out"? Is KS now a "pre-order limited print releases of a product". Sheesh.

PrincessTrouble · « **Reply #13 on:** August 05, 2013, 02:46:46 PM »

This was the update she sent out this morning:

Quote

Posted by Joanne Lin
Just wanted to show you evidence of the progress we have made on the deck.

Thanks and have a great day.

Don Boyer · « **Reply #14 on:** August 05, 2013, 10:00:18 PM »

Quote from: Alex Willis on August 05, 2013, 12:01:54 PM

I missed the launch, I would so have been on board for this deck. How can you "sell out"? Is KS now a "pre-order limited print releases of a product". Sheesh.

Yeah, it wasn't the best planned KS ever. In fact, it's pretty clear that the KS was created solely to raise the funds needed to make the deck and nothing more, so they could sell the rest at retail - it's kinda cheesy.

JacksonRobinson · « **Reply #15 on:** August 05, 2013, 11:51:54 PM »

they just released an UNLIMITED Red deck.

Don Boyer · « **Reply #16 on:** August 06, 2013, 01:38:00 AM »

Quote from: JacksonRobinson on August 05, 2013, 11:51:54 PM

they just released an UNLIMITED Red deck.

Financially, it makes sense, since there was literally money sitting on the table there. It's not hard to tell, though, that she hasn't done her homework on KS projects and how add-ons work. She listed rewards tiers for red decks alone, which is fine, but she didn't provide instructions on how blue-deck backers can add red decks.

Ladies (yes, there are a few!) and gentlemen - keep a SHARP eye out for people who originally backed for blue decks only trading in some blue decks for red on their rewards, meaning those blues will be up for grabs again!

Magic_Orthodoxy · « **Reply #17 on:** August 06, 2013, 09:30:15 AM »

New Pledge Tiers if you missed round one.

JacksonRobinson · « **Reply #18 on:** December 15, 2013, 11:04:36 AM »

I wanted to post here and express my satisfaction with this deck. It may have not gotten many eyeballs but the court cards are A+. They may not be every ones style but they are by far a step above the big guys. Great job Emperor Deck.

GBAllison · « **Reply #19 on:** December 16, 2013, 07:55:30 AM »

These decks turned out amazing. The artwork on the courts is first rate--classic playing-card design work, with a beautiful theme, executed flawlessly.

I remember that when this project first started, there were red flags all over the place. I still wish the project creators had been a bit more transparent about what they were doing, but the fact is that this time the project turned out well. Great product and early deliveries.

Sometimes you roll the dice and you get Founders. Or ... everything comes up Emperors. I hope these people do more.

CordedTires · « **Reply #20 on:** December 16, 2013, 10:11:02 AM »

What catches my interest is not just the very beautiful execution, but also the successful merging of two completely different cultural traditions -often tried but not often so well. They are certainly familiar (for the Western audience) playing cards, but the portraits show their classic Chinese heritage very strongly.

Anthony · « **Reply #21 on:** December 16, 2013, 12:35:08 PM »

I remember coming across these when I 1st started poking around Playing Cards. I didn't know enough about anything pertaiing to cards or KS at the time. But they are a very striking well designed deck. I've had them on my list since I put one together, here's hoping to add them to my collection in time.

Great to hear how well they turned out and backers are happy with them.