Executive Deck by Ellusionist Daniel Madison, Justin Miller

[DelMagic]

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[MagikFingerz]

Another Black Club exclusive? Looks nice.

[sms69x]

Another Black Club exclusive? Looks nice.

Yes... Will have to wait..Looks really nice.

[Evan]

These look really cool! I love the court cards and the simple back design.

[sinjin7]

Nice thin borders, looks like full customization, but I don't like the black back with the white fronts. Here is a quote from E in regards to the tuck box:

"Executive is stripped of embellishments such as embossing and foils. It knows what it is and sticks to it, without distraction."

Well, that's good and fine, but to me the box still looks a bit boring and plain - I may change my mind once I see it up close and personal, but for now I'm underwhelmed. Its almost like E was thinking, "Let's not put any money into the tuck box and say the lack of embossing and foils is intentional because 'it knows what it is' and stick to it." When you see the quality of tuck boxes coming out now (like the Artisan deck, for example) you have to raise your game. Didn't someone from E come here and talk about how they're going to do stuff with the tuck boxes for future decks that will blow our minds? Since that post, we've seen the release of the Tundra Artifice and Executive deck and not a hint of embellishment anywhere. Consider my mind NOT blown...

[PlayingCardz]

A set of playing cards two years in creation.... comes to life. << Come on E ...

[Magic_Orthodoxy]

why does it take ellusionist designers YEARS to make cards? two years? Arcane took 5 years! How slow do these people work?

"Each card was custom designed, and then designed again, to ensure that it brought forth our vision."

In other words, you made these poor designers work, they had a finished result and you said, "no we changed our minds."

I don't know for me, when they tell me it took years and years to make these decks, it doesn't impress me or make me want them more. It makes me think do these guys all have other jobs?

[petermckinnon]

"why does it take ellusionist designers YEARS to make cards? two years? Arcane took 5 years! How slow do these people work?

"Each card was custom designed, and then designed again, to ensure that it brought forth our vision."

In other words, you made these poor designers work, they had a finished result and you said, "no we changed our minds."

I don't know for me, when they tell me it took years and years to make these decks, it doesn't impress me or make me want them more. It makes me think do these guys all have other jobs?"

Magic_Orthodoxy,

My name Is Peter McKinnon. This is my first post here. Im the Production Manager at Ellusionist. I wanted to personally address this post when it was linked to me because there are a few things I wouldn't mind clarifying for you!

When it is said that this deck was 2 years in the making - it is not one word of a lie. This of course is not the ONLY project we have in the works. I'm more than positive that you would be shocked with how many projects are underway from several different divisions within the company at any given moment. Things are put aside, problems arise, things are pushed back, some happen faster than others, etc.

This deck was an original concept Jason Brumbalow and I came up with Just a tad over 2 years ago now, whilst prepping for the Metal 2 shoot, In Texas. After working with several designers, some designers nailed our concepts first shot, but came up short with different aspects of the deck. Moving on to another designer, we continued to work hard to create something that truly represented our vision. This takes time. Throw in DVD shoots, Downloads, other decks, conventions, travel, and all the other stuff going on in a business, these things take TIME. So no, we don't have other jobs, our jobs are constantly providing you and other magicians with exciting and new concepts and products to help advance the art, and excite our fans.

We employed 4 different designers from 4 different spots around the globe to work on this. "Each card was designed, then designed again" - If you are familiar at all with fine tweaking, or double checking something to make sure it's perfect, then I don't need to explain that point.

Telling you how long it took us to create this deck is not to get YOU to buy more. Buy however many you want. Don't buy any at all. That is your decision. By giving you this information, it is to help you appreciate the work, and the time that half a dozen individuals put into something so you could enjoy a nice custom deck of cards.

p:m

[MagikFingerz]

"Years in the works" probably just means the first sketch for something that was used in this deck was in someone's sketchbook for a while.

[walrus]

I still have a resentment against Ellusionist for creating this black club thing. I did manage to obtain a Black Artifice through one of our esteemed members here but Es "special" decks have lost some of their glimmer to me. I regret this as they were in my opinion the best of the major card producers. Oh well, I am sure E is not going to be upset by the opinion of the Walrus.

[badpete69]

Peter

Welcome to the forums...I had just seen your first post and just approved it. Thanks for taking the time to come on and clarify a few details

[MagikFingerz]

Peter: Thank you very much for stopping by and signing up, I wish more representatives of (big or small) companies would. Not only do you address something that was brought up in this thread in a professional and logical manner, but you also present us with some insight in how your working days are at Ellusionist.

I hope you stick around

[lumpyliew]

Welcome Pete! It's good to see another thin bordered deck ! Definitely a nice deck !

[vasta41]

My qualms with E aren't because of what they say (this deck probably did "take" 2 years to make and Daniel Madison may very well have "tried" over 50 card stocks on his Rounders deck). My problem with them is that they're saying it at all. But to be fair, I hate most advertising because of this. Like I've said before, I always thought E's decks speak for themselves and don't need these kinds of statements. Like walrus I too think E's rare/ special decks have lost glimmer- mostly because of the hype and also, like CBJ said a while back, because of the market saturation. The coolest part about owning a 1st edition Black Ghost was exculsivity. Now anyone with $40 can get one.
But as far as the hype goes, I personally don't like it but if I were to put myself in their shoes and saw all my competitors (D&D, T11, etc.) hyping the crap out of their products, I guess I would too. I can't fault them for trying to stay current- it's a sink or swim world out there... I just wish it weren't so.

[Magic_Orthodoxy]

Hey Peter thanks for the clarification and your time to respond, and I totally get and assumed that was the answer, it's just - when you lead your advertisements with that statement, you're making it sound a lot more grandiose than it really is. The reality is, two years ago you had a concept, and other projects took precedence and eventually people worked on it a little and after two years it was done. But personally I would assume that almost all your projects work like that.

The truth is, that "lead line" is done as an attention grabber.

It just sounds frickin cool

...and it does, I admit it.

If anything Ellusionist has an amazing production team, a super talented graphics department and time and time again they put out a product that is unsurpassed.

[petermckinnon]

Orthodoxy,

Thanks for the love!

" The reality is, two years ago you had a concept, and other projects took precedence and eventually people worked on it a little and after two years it was done. But personally I would assume that almost all your projects work like that. "

Yes and no. Some things move through fast. Some things take longer. All things depend on so many factors. Especially when you are working with multiple designers, USPC, our own team, warehouse etc. With regards to making it sound more "grandiose" than it really is.... We make these claims because we personally believe in them. I think you would too after accomplishing something you and a team have worked very hard on! For several years.

And at the end of the day, advertising is a must - It's a business. If the ad copy doesn't float your boat, you are free not to read it, just buy the cards instead haha

Vasta41,

Without advertising, magazine ads, hype, social platforms, a huge population of customers are not reached. Sorry you are not a fan. It is the world we live in and that is the harsh reality!

lumpyllew,

Thanks for the welcome! And yes, the black borders on these cards really do look nice when spread out or fanned!

p:m

[Magic_Orthodoxy]

If the ad copy doesn't float your boat, you are free not to read it, just buy the cards instead haha

I'll do JUST that!

[sms69x]

They selling them to everyone now!

[Magic_Orthodoxy]

I'd like to see "E" make Black Club more exclusive. It needs to be like Club 33 at Disneyland. I think members should get free items, free downloads and then exclusive things and exclusive access to stuff that will never be public. If they did THAT - i'd join.

* obviously within reason and only on certain items, not a run on their entire stock.

[petermckinnon]

I'd like to see "E" make Black Club more exclusive. It needs to be like Club 33 at Disneyland. I think members should get free items, free downloads and then exclusive things and exclusive access to stuff that will never be public. If they did THAT - i'd join.

* obviously within reason and only on certain items, not a run on their entire stock.

Our members do get free gifts, items, they are given special membership kits, free downloads, discounts and pre releases. Not to mention the rest of the things we have planned for them this year. There is also a designated store with specific items only available for purchase to black club members.

[CBJ]

Welcome Peter!!!! I think it's great that you've joined us!


Magic_Orthodoxy...

I've received a few free items from E's black club. Not including the free items for joining, I've received a free Madison deck, and a free gold arcane uncut sheet.
I do wish they had more members only decks ( NEVER to be released to the general public )... so far they only have one.


CBJ

[sinjin7]

Our members do get free gifts, items, they are given special membership kits, free downloads, discounts and pre releases. Not to mention the rest of the things we have planned for them this year. There is also a designated store with specific items only available for purchase to black club members.

Can you tell us when rewards will be redeemable with our Recognition Points?