GROTESK MACABRE

[JuFiN]

Im not even mad, some people might be upset with all these mistakes, messed up 7 flaking foil. But im just impressed that Lotrek has caught all this mistakes and quickly worked to fix them, makes me super confident that the deck I will eventually receive will be amazing and fault free!

[RichK]

I'm just as confident but hope he doesn't get burned out again, or financially in debt.

[4.of.Clubs]

Lortek, no rush, take your time!

[PrincessTrouble]

Don't know if you've read the latest BLACK MASS/INFERNO update but more problems. Cheaper foil from supplier is flaking off the reprint cards. That means start over again. I hope it's just the gold 7's since that's the picture Lotrek posted.

Just a "stay positive Lotrek!" note from me and I'm sure every member here.

I really admire his tenacity and unwillingness to settle for anything less than his best.

[vasta41]

My two cents:

Lotrek has established himself here and beyond 100%. He is a reputable artist who doesn't settle for less than perfect and is true to his word. He also like to push the limits of modern day playing card technology. And when you deviate from the norm, mistakes and setbacks are bound to happen- "no pain, no gain." I have had and continue to have patience with this and all of Lotrek's campaigns because I'd rather receive a deck later than expected that's as close to perfect as possible than a sub-par deck riddled with mistakes a few months earlier. I assume most, given that choice, would agree with me.

HOWEVER I would like to see Lotrek stop doing KS campaigns if he can. I don't indent to assume Lotrek's financial situation but if he can swing it, I'd love to see him have a concept for a deck, design the deck, print the deck, fix any and all mistakes before letting anyone in the world know it exists, THEN announce it and sell it to the masses. That way he doesn't feel as though he's letting anyone down (except himself but that's because he's too hard on himself!) and backers don't have to wait anxiously for months. His reputation and quality of work will assuredly make his money so there should be no fear of creating decks that won't sell. Similar to what he did with Liturgy.

I understand that KS is a great medium to reach many people and even if there's another reason why he uses KS, it doesn't upset me. My idea is just a suggestion and if he continues to release playing cards via KS, I will continue to back them. Having said all that I cannot wait to see Black Mass in my hands after he get's it perfect, which I know he will. As always, stay positive, Lotrek!

[4.of.Clubs]

HOWEVER I would like to see Lotrek stop doing KS campaigns if he can. I don't indent to assume Lotrek's financial situation but if he can swing it, I'd love to see him have a concept for a deck, design the deck, print the deck, fix any and all mistakes before letting anyone in the world know it exists, THEN announce it and sell it to the masses. That way he doesn't feel as though he's letting anyone down (except himself but that's because he's too hard on himself!) and backers don't have to wait anxiously for months. His reputation and quality of work will assuredly make his money so there should be no fear of creating decks that won't sell. Similar to what he did with Liturgy.

I agree with this, I feel like lots of known and reputable artists can move away from KS (Lotrek, uusi, JR, etc.) and just sell the decks when they are close or already done. A plus side for us is we can probably get the deck at a lower price since KS doesn't take their huge cut...

[Justin O.]

I don't see any reason for a creator to move away from Kickstarter as long as people are willing to back them on their, it funds the whole project and they don't have to offer any personal capitol to the project, that has to be an incredible boon

[Lotrek]

After changing my mind quite a few times, I have come to the conclusion that I for "ordinary" decks that are going to be printed by EPCC/LPCC I will continue using KS, although not for all of them. Some will be self-funded.
For my special editions, I will not be using KS. As I try new things all the time, I also face new problems all the time. This makes it very difficult (read impossible) for me to have the decks ready within the promised deadline, no matter how much "safety time" I add. I know that nobody fears that they will be scammed but I still cannot find peace as long as I have undelivered decks.
As long as I manage the printing, I feel responsible for any delays, even when the fault isn't mine. On the other hand, when I print with EPCC, I am not responsible for production issues so I am much more comfortable. I'm just like any of you: we are all waiting.

A great advantage KS has is that you are addressed to a much bigger and even growing audience. As a creator I cannot overlook this.

[pablo19]

So the Half Moon Playing Cards website doesn't lead anywhere anymore. Was it deleted or are there technical issues with it?

[Lotrek]

So the Half Moon Playing Cards website doesn't lead anywhere anymore. Was it deleted or are there technical issues with it?

Both. I mean, I'm changing to "oath playing cards" as my halfmoonplayingcards domain has expired and I won't renew it. Temporarily HMPC can be reached here:

http://lotrekdesign.wixsite.com/halfmoonplayingcards" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I connected my new domain "oathpalyingcards.com" to the existing site but it only worked for 2 days. I'm trying to fix it before letting people know about the change...

[Bruno]

Fixed.
Plus a KS Update ....

[Thedissident001]

Anyone got shipping confirmation for Black Mass and Black Gold yet? Last update guaranteed to send by 20th February.

[sms69x]

Anyone got shipping confirmation for Black Mass and Black Gold yet? Last update guaranteed to send by 20th February.

You're new here, so the question is understandable!

With Lotrek you have to pay attention to the tense, if it is present-future you'll know that it is the same as "we'll see". If it is past then you can be sure it will happen. So per his last update "I can GUARANTEE that the decks will have been sent to you by the 20th of February."
So we need to wait for the update that says the decks were sent.

[Thedissident001]

Firstly there is absolutely no need to be patronising. Because I don't have many posts doesn't mean I haven't been coming here for a long time. I just elect not to make noise for the sake of making noise.

Where I come from, a guarantee is a guarantee. This project has had a massive number of delays, but I haven't ever lost faith in his integrity and honesty. His work is sublime, but if I lose faith in his ability to trust his word, then I GUARANTEE that sublime work won't be enough, and it will be the last time for me and many others.

[sms69x]

Firstly there is absolutely no need to be patronising. Because I don't have many posts doesn't mean I haven't been coming here for a long time. I just elect not to make noise for the sake of making noise.

Where I come from, a guarantee is a guarantee. This project has had a massive number of delays, but I haven't ever lost faith in his integrity and honesty. His work is sublime, but if I lose faith in his ability to trust his word, then I GUARANTEE that sublime work won't be enough, and it will be the last time for me and many others.

Don't need for that, I was just joking. Not mean to disrespect you in any way! Sorry if it sound any other way.

And about Lotrek, he will deliver you can be sure of that, I've no doubt about it.
And that's a fact that you can only trust on a fact from Lotrek if that fact is explained in the past-tense, otherwise we know it will not be so straight forward. If you are not ok with it (and you have all the right not to feel ok) just get his decks after they hit the market

[RichK]

I PM-ed Lotrek on Sunday about the oily disaster to success of the Bronze Liturgy decks if you got the email about it. Cards are coming along fine, thankfully.

I asked about the BLACK MASS shipping and hoped they were ready. This was his response:
"I'm fervently working to send out the Black decks in a few days."

So as sms69x said "he will deliver". Never take a date from Lotrek unless you have a tracking number. You'll get your decks and love them.

[rousselle]

Lotrek just sent out an e-mail regarding this deck, in which he reports that unexpected delays have pushed back shipment by a few more days. Shipping is now imminent.

[Bikefanatic]

I have a list somewhere of which decks I've ordered, the price, how many of them and all that. I haven't been disappointed by any decks of his I have. Still I rather him take time and do them right instead of waiting long and not getting not so much good quality.


On a side note, anyone been to Santorini, Greece? Lotrek I don't know if you're there but I wonder why people like that part of Greece the most? Guess I'll find out soon.

[shaitani]

I think the particular complaint here was that he said he "guaranteed" they'd be sent out by a certain date and they weren't. That is clearly Lotrek being optimistic and assuming that guarantees other people gave him were certain. So that's on Lotrek for making a guarantee when in fact all of the pieces of the puzzle were not under his control (he clearly still had to wait for the tucks to be printed).

There's no doubt he'll get them out and we'll love them etc... it's just not a good idea for him to guarantee things he doesn't have complete control of.
Lol I feel like with all of the unfortunate delays he's encountered in his experience he would have been a little more cautious using that word.

[Bikefanatic]

Like Mr. McMahon, at least he didn't say "I guaran-damn-tee it".

[Lotrek]

That damned "Guaranteed" word... A voice told me: "don't write it" but I didn't pay attention.
This project is really Macabre and I'll update you tomorrow about it, as I want you to see pictures or else you may think I'm joking...

[Lotrek]

On a side note, anyone been to Santorini, Greece? Lotrek I don't know if you're there but I wonder why people like that part of Greece the most? Guess I'll find out soon.

Santorini offers a sea view from Oia and Fira that is just unreal. Myconos has incredible beaches and this was I guess the initial reason but now it's a synonym for wild partying. Personally I don't like this island at all. I'm a quiet person and prefer being in my grotesk cave But if you like extravagant summer parties, this is the place for you.

[Bikefanatic]

On a side note, anyone been to Santorini, Greece? Lotrek I don't know if you're there but I wonder why people like that part of Greece the most? Guess I'll find out soon.

Santorini offers a sea view from Oia and Fira that is just unreal. Myconos has incredible beaches and this was I guess the initial reason but now it's a synonym for wild partying. Personally I don't like this island at all. I'm a quiet person and prefer being in my grotesk cave But if you like extravagant summer parties, this is the place for you.

I don't party here in the US but in other countries I do. The squad wants to go to Santorini in July or August to visit the Red Beach, Emporio village and some other places. I hope it isn't a rainy season.

Looking forward to see progression of cards later.

[JuFiN]

So.... about them pictures we wont believe?

[Thedissident001]

Yes what about those pictures. Seriously hate to harp on the subject but even more
seriously sick of backers pleas for updates being ignored!

[JuFiN]

He did post an update on Kickstarter in fairness.

[Thedissident001]

Last Kickstarter update was on 30th Jan promising to send decks by 20th Feb unless I've missed something. Here we are a full month later...

[JuFiN]

He had an update on the black gold edition kickstarter March 12th, with pictures. I believe that both campaigns are shipping together so the update should be relevant to both.

it read:

"Hi all,

First, I'd like you to have a look at the Silver Edition decks on my bench, so that you know that these decks really EXIST. I have so many times said that there is a problem and some people may wonder whether I have printed the deck or not!





But I made a big mistake: In my previous update I said that "I can guarantee" that the decks will be ready in a few days. I had all sheets at home, only waiting for a few to complete the decks and begin assembling. The problem is that until then, I hadn't checked all sheets. I didn't feel I needed to do so, as the workshop I used has a very good reputation and all sheets I had seen during production were great. But when I started assembling, I found out that many of the cards (in fact 15) from the Silver Edition, have serious problems.

To watch a video showing some of the useless cards,



The workshop admitted responsibility and they said they'll cover the cost of reprinting and foiling those 15 cards. They can only do it after the next week.

No need to say how sorry I am about this. Although I'm not responsible for the poor foiling, the fact that I promised something without being 1000% certain is entirely my fault. Grotesk Macabre Gold has become a horror movie...

Thankfully, the Gold and Inferno editions are just fine! I will prepare these decks while the workshop is reprinting, so that when the Silver edition is completed I'll have most of the decks ready.

Really sorry,

Lotrek"

[Thedissident001]

Apologies, it may be an idea for him to copy post these updates to Grotesk Macabre kickstarter page, as this is where most backers had signed up to Black Mass from. Anyone that didn't back both is wondering what progress is as they cant see this update.

[JuFiN]

Completely agree, definitely a mistake on his part.