The Successor by TGW/Kevin Cantrell

[Bikefanatic]

How hsbc? How?

[hsbc]

I upload images to Imgur and use the [ img ] tag

[TheGentlemanWake]

Cancellations have been really rough and disheartening. Almost everyone I ask has the same reply “cards are great. Cancelling due to financial reasons”

I’m hoping we don’t lose too much more in last 48 hours. Then recapture some folks during backerkit.

[Bradius]

At first I was just looking at the top tier and really those are standing strong. While there are ten full sets available, that is a fairly low number. However, in looking at the total funding, I do see it has sild a bit back to the early days of the campaign. However, in the perspective of the overall funding, it is still holding up fairly well. I am not a super expert of the whole funding and economics as you are, but it doesn't seem too fatal at this point. Thankfully, I am quite a bit removed from that aspect. Keep in mind there is some additional attrition coming as I understand that about 10% of Kickstarter backers don't finish payment. So, sadly that will likely be an additional contraction likely to happen.

I am as excited as I was initially. I think you have put together another solid campaign and look forward to getting these decks. Kevin is an exceptional artist and you used his abilities to great effect with another great story to go with the decks and design. Best wishes on this closing on a bit stronger during the last 24 hours. These last minute cancellations on top tiers provided opportunities for folks like me that are not quite so fast to pick up these top tier options that were snagged quickly.

[steampunk52]

However, in the perspective of the overall funding, it is still holding up fairly well. I am not a super expert of the whole funding and economics as you are, but it doesn't seem too fatal at this point.

I agree. It's still north of 2.5x the fund threshold, which was quite high to begin with. People do increasingly have pressure on their spending and in spite of that this looks on track to close north of $250k which is not too shabby for stacks of paper - and a box

I would guess Backerkit will see an uptick once the Dynastinae and Monarch are available - and as some have noted, spending can be spread out. To some extent, I think the KS campaign itself was a bit self-limiting.

[STLBluesNut]

sell me a white one and you'll get another backer and $75.

[TheGentlemanWake]

sell me a white one and you'll get another backer and $75.

They will be available in backerkit for pre-order. Price will be $75 for backers--pledge a $1 if you can spare it!

[STLBluesNut]

ahhh lol

[rousselle]

I'll throw out some food for thought:

As a recession appears to be cresting the hill and into view just down the road, a lot of people's initial reaction is to sit tight and reduce their spending. The irony of it is that, unless you are concerned for your own source of income, the best strategy for dealing with a recession is to spend your money on the things you intend to get *sooner rather than later.* It may seem counter-intuitive, but if you believe that recession is imminent (or underway), your money buys more now than it will in the future. Saving your money by delaying spending reduces your buying power.

This tendency to reduce spending in the face of recession may help to explain what TGW is seeing. Playing cards are not a necessity, so I'm not directing this observation at people who are considering throttling back on discretionary purchases. It's only wise to consider whether your money is better spent on indulging your hobbies or stocking up on non-perishable necessities. Heh. No, rather, this observation is directed at TGW and all of the other project creators who are reading this thread:

Once the funding period for your project has concluded, firm up your contracts and make all the payments as soon as possible. Get the ball rolling on everything as quickly as you can. The longer you wait, the more money it will suck out of your funds down the road... and, the longer your project is delayed, the more shipping and other fulfillment expenses will balloon. (I know you were already planning to run your project this way, but it bears emphasis.)

The Kickstarter model is great when inflation is low: you get your money upfront and then fulfill as circumstances allow. This is a great way to reduce risk, because you don't spend any money on production until you have secured funds.

But, in an environment when inflation is high, it is better to produce first (when costs are lower) and then sell later (when it is reasonable to charge more money as the currency inflates.) Farmers are forced into this model, for example, so they always prefer inflationary fiscal policy.

So, yeah. Food for thought as you and others consider your business model down the road.

[TheGentlemanWake]

I'll throw out some food for thought:

As a recession appears to be cresting the hill and into view just down the road, a lot of people's initial reaction is to sit tight and reduce their spending. The irony of it is that, unless you are concerned for your own source of income, the best strategy for dealing with a recession is to spend your money on the things you intend to get *sooner rather than later.* It may seem counter-intuitive, but if you believe that recession is imminent (or underway), your money buys more now than it will in the future. Saving your money by delaying spending reduces your buying power.

This tendency to reduce spending in the face of recession may help to explain what TGW is seeing. Playing cards are not a necessity, so I'm not directing this observation at people who are considering throttling back on discretionary purchases. It's only wise to consider whether your money is better spent on indulging your hobbies or stocking up on non-perishable necessities. Heh. No, rather, this observation is directed at TGW and all of the other project creators who are reading this thread:

Once the funding period for your project has concluded, firm up your contracts and make all the payments as soon as possible. Get the ball rolling on everything as quickly as you can. The longer you wait, the more money it will suck out of your funds down the road... and, the longer your project is delayed, the more shipping and other fulfillment expenses will balloon. (I know you were already planning to run your project this way, but it bears emphasis.)

The Kickstarter model is great when inflation is low: you get your money upfront and then fulfill as circumstances allow. This is a great way to reduce risk, because you don't spend any money on production until you have secured funds.

But, in an environment when inflation is high, it is better to produce first (when costs are lower) and then sell later (when it is reasonable to charge more money as the currency inflates.) Farmers are forced into this model, for example, so they always prefer inflationary fiscal policy.

So, yeah. Food for thought as you and others consider your business model down the road.

My orders are going out as soon as the fund arrive. I have updated quotes on everything. Trying to have this thing fulfilled ASAP.

[Bikefanatic]

Question. For the sarcophagus, is it possible to take out the area of the 6/7 decks that it'll be bigger space inside?

[TheGentlemanWake]

Question. For the sarcophagus, is it possible to take out the area of the 6/7 decks that it'll be bigger space inside?

You mean the divided interior? It's built into the box out of vegan leather lined slats of wood

[Bikefanatic]

Question. For the sarcophagus, is it possible to take out the area of the 6/7 decks that it'll be bigger space inside?

You mean the divided interior? It's built into the box out of vegan leather lined slats of wood

Yes that's what I meant. If the interior could've been removable, more things could be put inside to make sarcophagus more usable. We understand it's only a showpiece for the Successor decks.

Less than a day left, congrats on the campaign. Like others have mentioned, if/when certain things become available on backerkit, funding will go up.

[GandalfTheWhite]

sell me a white one and you'll get another backer and $75.

Same! +1

[TheGentlemanWake]

The Brick Box Artwork. And some prototypes of the legacy edition.

[TheGentlemanWake]

Some color variants.... trying to figure out which I like best. I'll have them in hand soon to help make the choice.

[shkorc]

The 300 and 350% stretch goals remaining locked is quite unfortunate.

Still, congratulations on the campaign

[Harvonsgard]

Not a fan of the version with the thick black lines.

[TheGentlemanWake]

Under 250k. I just want it to end.

[hsbc]

I know it must be awful watching it go down, but still, reaching nearly a quarter of a million dollars for luxury playing cards during a bad economy is a win

[vasta41]

I can't wait to make sense of this campaign on the backerkit. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot more cash comes in then. Do they take a 10% cut like KS?

[STLBluesNut]

if it makes any difference at this point, i like the lighter color tuck.

[TheGentlemanWake]

[youtube][/youtube]

I can't wait to make sense of this campaign on the backerkit. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot more cash comes in then. Do they take a 10% cut like KS?

They take a %. Not sure I think it’s 8%. But stripe takes some too. kS is 5%.

[TheGentlemanWake]

if it makes any difference at this point, i like the lighter color tuck.

There are actually four alternates. Two with lighter paper. Two with more yellow paper. Two with black foil. Two with dark gold foil

[GandalfPC]

250k is approx the higher of your two previous campaigns backer count multiplied by the higher average pledge - so positive by that measure as well

[Harvonsgard]

Even if your mood might be all black but I'm still in the light paper and no black camp.

[TheGentlemanWake]

250k is approx the higher of your two previous campaigns backer count multiplied by the higher average pledge - so positive by that measure as well

Yes. That is true. Although the lowest by backer count. This is either a reflection of Lorenzo and lotreks popularity. Or a reflection of diminished interest across the hobby. Or a result of the economy since we’ve had over 230 cancelled pledges. Which would of put us in line with tempest. All are possible. Are are likely true.

I am proud of the products we put forth in this campaign. I’m sorry that the downward trend is making me feel like I failed rather than succeeded. I know objectively 248k or whatever it ends at is a top 20 campaign total. But it was hard to watch our total drop by 30k. I’m trying to escape the Kickstarter model. Having capital to do things more proactively. I’m trying to solidify this as a career. It will be a bit longer it seems.

[hsbc]

... rather than succeeded.

I mean, it's right there in the name of the deck

[TheGentlemanWake]

I know it must be awful watching it go down, but still, reaching nearly a quarter of a million dollars for luxury playing cards during a bad economy is a win

I know this is objectively true. But I would feel much different if the total had gone up everyday by a little bit to reach 250k rather than diving by 6-7k a day coming down from 280k

[kevork]

Upon further inspection, my vote is lighter paper with gold foil. Originally was leaning to yellow paper gold foil, but I've since changed my mind and am sticking with it. Ordered 4 of them, one to open and 3 for the carat case. I'd be really curious to see how the 3 carat case would look next to the sarcophagus, as that might be a better indicator of what color scheme to go with to better match it.

The black is too jarring/contrasting standalone. Idk, something about the lighter paper and gold foil with the red feels so regal, legacy, and luxury.