Charlemagne Playing Cards: Live on Kickstarter

[pstaehlin]

I just made a pledge for this deck. What all of your thoughts about it? Check it out:

[rousselle]

I don't see any information on where this project is being printed, but their previous campaign was manufactured by NagePack (sp?), which has been discussed elsewhere on this board.

I wouldn't mind seeing a deck based more closely upon the original art, rather than this 3D-rendered modernized version of the art, but на вкус и цвет, товарищи нет. At first glance, what they have seems nice enough, but not quite my cup of tea. It'll be interesting to see how this project pans out.

[pstaehlin]

"I wouldn't mind seeing a deck based more closely upon the original art, rather than this 3D-rendered modernized version of the art,"
I agree with you on this.

[Pablo393]

I actually like the half of the tuck box that has the bird on it, but not the jewel part. I like the card backs. Not sure I can get with the shields around the pips though. I will have to think about this one.

[Casual Pixels]

I prefer the original art.

Also, the choice of large red shields for the black suits and large black shields for red suits is... interesting.

Pass

[Thedissident001]

I actually love this from a design perspective. I would so love to back this. If this was an established creator I would be all over this big time. Too many warning whistles going off though for me - I’ve not heard of Makwell printers, the creator is largely unknown, the goals are too low, the answers to backer questions are vague and unconvincing... Damn. Just consign the design to someone with a reputation and it would kill it

[Ace]

I actually love this from a design perspective. I would so love to back this. If this was an established creator I would be all over this big time. Too many warning whistles going off though for me - I’ve not heard of Makwell printers, the creator is largely unknown, the goals are too low, the answers to backer questions are vague and unconvincing... Damn. Just consign the design to someone with a reputation and it would kill it

My thoughts pretty much, it's interesting but not quite there yet.

[theCapraAegagrus]

There are a lot of good things going on, but in agreement with everyone else, the 3D-style artwork (and shields) will prevent me from backing this.

[Jock1971]

Many backers of this campaign have been questioning who MAKWELL were? and who in fact is printing the Cards?

Today an Update from the creator informing the backers that MAKWELL is a international "Parent" company, and the manufacturers who are actually printing the cards are NAGE CARDS of St Petersburg.

[Ace]

I am still on the fence on this one. It looks interesting but $8500 to create such a technical deck, seems unrealistic.

[Räpylätassu]

I pledged for one gilded deck. I am expecting a good looking deck. I am not expecting good technical quality. But like I have said before: good design > everything else

[Bradius]

This is a compelling deck for me. I am in for a standard and gilded set. I have Krishtofer's last deck, and I think they did a good job on it. This one looks much more interesting. I know it is Nage Cards/Makewell. I am not looking for card handling. That said, I like how they have taken an old and incomplete design and updated it. Anyway, I am in for a pair.

[Gary]

Thanks to everyone for the insight on this deck

[Räpylätassu]

So the last update on these is from June 27th, which was nothing but pictures of the tuck boxes. I left the following comment on July 19th:

Hey Krishtofor!

Could we get some kind of update on what stage the production is in right now? Are the cards printed? What about the tuck boxes? Are the Swarovski crystals made already? The original delivery time was september, are we on schedule? Ahead? Behind? I'm sure progress is being made all the time, but please let us know where the production is standing right now, just being curious, that's all.

Thanks and all the best

-Roope

No reply. Now they have launched a new campaign.

I really like the artwork that he does but I don't like this type of campaign managment, especially as he has only delivered one project before this one. This campaign is scheduled to be delivered on September so if I am not hearing anything for the next 2-3 weeks I will get nervous.

[Bradius]

I agree Roope. It is really advisable for creators to deliver their last project before starting a new campaign. Some don't do that though. For example, Jackson Robinson is still a long way away from delivering the Maduro decks and his Tigers campaign will wrap up long before the Maduro decks arrive. Still, it could hurt interest in this campaign because backers do get nervous. After all, we are backing with no guarantee the decks will arrive. For that same reason, I didn't back Natalia's last campaign. I am still in on this campaign even though I was a backer on the last campaign as well.

[hawk199]

Kwp currently has 3
Maduro, oliver tally and tiger but has experience, even though lack of comms :s

This creator hasnt even satisfied their 1st creation and 2nd isnt completed, so quick to do a 3rd

[Bradius]

What do you mean he hasn't satisfied his first campaign? I received my deck a long time ago.

[theCapraAegagrus]

KWP/JR is monumentally different from most creators, though, because he's designed and delivered 40+ decks (Kickstarter or otherwise).

For newer creators, IMO they should make completing their first few campaigns one at a time the priority, to build credible relationships with backers.

[Räpylätassu]

These were supposed to be completed by September. No word from the creator, backers don't have any idea where things currently stand. The creator did upload pictures of the process in an update on 3rd of August, no word since. The creator was last online 16th of September.

The creator might be a bit reserved on updating as his English is not perfect...? I still think I will eventually get my deck, it's just that the creators way of running this campaign seems to be a bit... eastern. As the old Finnish saying goes: Venäjällä mikään ei toimi mutta kaikki kyllä järjestyy. Translation would go something like: In Russia, nothing really works but everything will eventually get taken care of.

This project might be like ordering a plumber in Russia for tuesday. The plumber will for sure arrive but you can count on the fact that it won't be on tuesday.

[Merlebird]

As the old Finnish saying goes: Venäjällä mikään ei toimi mutta kaikki kyllä järjestyy. Translation would go something like: In Russia, nothing really works but everything will eventually get taken care of.

This project might be like ordering a plumber in Russia for tuesday. The plumber will for sure arrive but you can count on the fact that it won't be on tuesday.

Weird. In America the saying goes, in Soviet Russia, plumber orders you.

[PipChick]

As the old Finnish saying goes: Venäjällä mikään ei toimi mutta kaikki kyllä järjestyy. Translation would go something like: In Russia, nothing really works but everything will eventually get taken care of.

This project might be like ordering a plumber in Russia for tuesday. The plumber will for sure arrive but you can count on the fact that it won't be on tuesday.

Weird. In America the saying goes, in Soviet Russia, plumber orders you.

[Räpylätassu]

The following update was given on 18th of October:

Dear backers! I apologize on behalf of the producer for a deck delay Charlemagne. Today there was a small technical problem with stamping of gold on deck backside. Very large amount of cards (not decks, but back of cards!) on which it is necessary to make very high-quality and rather difficult stamping (only 54.000 cards!). I do not see sense to show those defects which were received at the beginning of this technological process. Today all these technological errors are eliminated and in the nearest future production will be complete what I with huge pleasure will report to you about and with pleasure I will show finished goods! Please, there is not enough patience and in several days you will see, how effectively and qualitatively we will be able to finish decks. Unfortunately, sometimes there are technical problems during creation of effects and more time is required that to correct everything. Do not worry! There are no global problems, only some difficulties which we almost overcame. Everything will be good and you will see soon and receive the decks! I hope for understanding! Best regards, Makwell

Good to know something on what is going on. Oddly the update was given by the printer and not the creator. So basically they have had some technical problems with the foiling which they have resolved already. I do hope that I get my deck before December.

[hsbc]

The creator posted a photo-only update on Kickstarter, here are a few:

[Bradius]

Thanks for the photos. Things are moving forward now.

[niceguy0750]

I know right can’t wait to receive them, they look beautifully awesome!!

[Räpylätassu]

More pics:

















I am just going to say it: That tuck box looks freaking amazing. The House of the Rising Spade and Ambassadors Players Edition have been my favorite tuck boxes so far this year and this looks like being right up there with those two heavy weights.

[Räpylätassu]

The latest update:

Shipment will be made in Finland. The part of the decks was transported from Russia to Finland. Some lots remained at customs for customs clearance. The main problems were due to the crystals on the tuck boxes. We will keep you informed

Pics:










With this deck being shipped from Finland, I might be the first backer to receive one? I think it's a rather smart move actually, I imagine the shipping is a lot cheaper to other European countries and most likely to everywhere else also and you only have to transport them for a few hours from St. Petersburg to south-eastern Finland, like to the towns/cities of Imatra or Lappeenranta. Might be that they are shipping from Helsinki though, not sure.

[guru]

Thanks Räpylätassu for the regular updates on this. I'll also be checking with the creator to know more about the fulfillment company he is using. It is good to know info.

[Räpylätassu]

New update posted today:

I am a member of the design team of the Charlemagne and Symphony decks and the owner of the account on the kickstarter. I apologize to everyone for waiting for the decks for half a year already. I'm trying to rush Makwell for more than two months. In early 2018, Makwell offered me cooperation to make a project with them. A few days ago I received a couple of decks and I can say that the quality is excellent. But unfortunately in the fulfillment of the shipping, Makwell had no experience and this is their mistake. Unfortunately, it’s natural to make mistakes. Now we made the following decision:

The last couple of months, Makwell tried to send decks from Russia. They regularly had some problems. Sending a large amount of parcels was not accepted by post or tariffs reached 18€ ($21) per deck! A small part of the decks was sent, so we are waiting for quality reviews. The rest will be sent by me, including the Symphony Project. Fulfillment will be from Tallinn, Estonia. I had a practice with many shipping projects so I can do everything quickly and send it in February.

All photos below. So that the tuck boxes and the crystals would not be damaged, we had to make a good protection for the packaging. This added significant weight and that contributed to not real prices for shipping that are too high.

Once again, I apologize, but I do everything to finish the dispatch as quickly as possible. It will also be a lesson for the Makwell that circumstances are unpredictable and that you always need to figure everything out and explore it twice.

The creator also updated a bunch of pictures of the parcels and the shipping materials and also some pics of this wooden box













This is a great update. Clearly stating the reasons why this project is late, telling them how they will fix it and when.

[rousselle]

I had qualms about backing this project, although I was very interested in the art (if I recall correctly), and I am *so glad* to see that they are doing what they can to fulfill, and damn, those photos look amazing. Here's to the hope that all the backers receive their rewards and that there's a few decks left over available for purchase somewhere when all is said and done!