House of Whispers by widakkdesign for Marvelous Decks [KS March 30]

[Strag]

Not sure why the percentage over goal would matter. They could have put a goal of $3K and then it would be 1000%. Does that make it that they have more excess? That assumes that creators put a funding goal that realistically covers their cost. That was the case back in the day, but no longer today. Most creators vastly (intentionally or unintentionally) underestimate their costs and goals are really what they are happy with.

10 years ago it was considered accepted that you needed a $10K goal for a single deck to have costs covered. That was with a 2500 deck minimum (USPC the only provider) and with much lower global shipping costs. Even with lower minimums and more manufacturers today, it's hard to me to think that it's less than $10K needed today to be covering costs.

[Fenrir]

Yes, it is funded... although is it enough to cover the Kickstarter fee and still have the funds to do production?

I don't see why it wouldn't It's not like the goal was $5k.

Reasons for doubting is that: most playing card projects, they either have 300% up to 1000%, so they have much money to spare for any backups. Although, in case like this, only 2% above 100%, it's a bit worrying as they can't afford screwups in productions

I might be right, I might be wrong

The percentage over the goal doesn't really matter. As Strag mentioned the creators factor this in when setting the KS goal (or at least they should). Everyone has to build in buffer for all kinds of situations. So I think it is safe to say there won't be any issues.

[CourtCurator]

While the production costs may be covered, they certainly are not being paid well for their time. Hopefully they will do well selling these after production has ended.

[Harvonsgard]

With Widakk and Kellar running their own businesses, I have no doubt that they did crunch their numbers right and the project will fulfill as planned.

[manu]

From the latest update:

-Final card preparation files are being made by Dalibor for Cartamundi production.

If the files have not been sent to Cartamundi yet, and given the Cartamundi factory relocation, I'm afraid that there may be delays in fulfillment.

[Adamthinks]

From the latest update:

-Final card preparation files are being made by Dalibor for Cartamundi production.

If the files have not been sent to Cartamundi yet, and given the Cartamundi factory relocation, I'm afraid that there may be delays in fulfillment.

Yeah, the original estimate for this was October. I'm guessing we won't see these till March now.

[kevork]

Good evening! We hope that this update finds you having a wonderful week. Production efforts have been pushing along with House of Whispers components. First to let you know, we have received drawer boxes from our manufacturer (they look simply amazing!) for the HOW decks…

Next to be finished up are the outer slip boxes and Colors of Light tucks. The wooden collectors boxes are finishing up soon as well.

The HOW dice sets arrived (they are also beautiful!)

We have received some disappointing news from Cartamundi (that is totally out of our control) that although they have had our completed files, their production move from Belgium to Spain will not be complete until the end of December, which unfortunately has postponed our playing card production until beginning of the year.

Cartamundi’s production has stopped in Belgium and are moving ALL European playing card production to Spain.

Cartamundi says, “This decision is all about making sure you get the top-notch service you deserve and holding ourselves accountable for any past issues. Your satisfaction and loyalty mean the world to us, and we're fully committed to providing you with the best products and experiences.”

We believe that although this slows down our fulfillment, Cartamundi’s stock, finish and foil capabilities are the best in the world, therefore allowing them to produce these decks with their highest level of care is what we desire for this product for you.

Until then, we will complete all of the other components needed here in the USA while awaiting the playing cards to fo into full production. We know they will be stunning once that is finished.


Thanks again for your continued support and updates to follow in the coming months. Have a Marvelous start to the new week

Within the House of Whispers update is some news about Cartamundi. I am glad they're actually doing something about their company. If USPCC and Cartamundi do not upgrade and innovate, these goliaths make it more and more likely to be overtaken by a smaller, perhaps even more affordable, company.

[Timmargh]

I missed this campaign somehow, but have messaged the creators and it looks like they'll allow me to get aboard after the fact.

[Timmargh]

Has anyone heard anything about this campaign recently? They've stopped responding to my messages and, worryingly, https://marvelousdecks.com/ shows a blank "not yet opened" generic storefront.

[Adamthinks]

Has anyone heard anything about this campaign recently? They've stopped responding to my messages and, worryingly, https://marvelousdecks.com/ shows a blank "not yet opened" generic storefront.

These are in the queue at Cartamundi, that's why there hasn't been any updates lately. I wouldn't be worried. I haven't heard any news about the status of Cartamundii's new factory from anyone, so I'm expecting extra delays from every card project that is using them.

[Evilgamer]

Has anyone heard anything about this campaign recently? They've stopped responding to my messages and, worryingly, https://marvelousdecks.com/ shows a blank "not yet opened" generic storefront.

These are in the queue at Cartamundi, that's why there hasn't been any updates lately. I wouldn't be worried. I haven't heard any news about the status of Cartamundii's new factory from anyone, so I'm expecting extra delays from every card project that is using them.

Everything Ive heard is "cartamundi hasn't started or told us when they will, theyre still testing"

[Adamthinks]

They updated today.

"Good weekend to you! It's been a bit, and for that, we apologize - so we wanted to update you on the status of House of Whispers. We appreciate the patience as production has been moving forward on everything...except the playing cards themselves as per our last update Cartamundi has not finished their move/setup from Belgium to Spain for their cold foil high end cardistry productions. Their update to us this week...(per our last update we were expecting this to be earlier this month, but they have not gotten equipment up and going as planned). This is frustrating for us, and the community in general, but rest assured we are working to bring everything to completion on this project. Their standards of production are the best, in our opinion.

'Please accept our apologies it's taking so much time, but all needed to be set-up from zero, and went a bit slower than anticipated. We produced some sample decks of the new board and varnish we want to use we are very pleased with the result. The board and varnish are very similar to the Slimline B9 finish, but slightly improved quality. Production should be ready to start at the end of February.'"

So, news for every project that is using Cartamundi is that they are now planning to restart production at the end of February, assuming no extra delays. Since their original estimate was the beginning of January, that will delay every single Cartamundi project by at least an extra 2 months.

[Evilgamer]

Honestly, and some arent going to want to hear it, anyone who stuck with Cartamundi should have seen this coming months ago and if they'd didnt make other plans thats on them. And yes Im waiting on at least 2 decks as part of this, was 3 I know of the last changed to WJPC.

[kevork]

I honestly don't mind waiting, but that's just me. My money is already gone, so it won't matter if I get it today or tomorrow as long as I have the assurance I'm getting it, and for this project, I feel very confident the product will deliver.

[Honeybee]

Cartamundi must see their position as leading card producer as a given for how else can you shut down for so long without fear of ramifications - in most businesses a delay of an extra couple of months would see heads roll

[Disenchanted_11]

The board and varnish are very similar to the Slimline B9 finish, but slightly improved quality.

Doesn't sound promising. Sounds like all the complaints about the difference will be attributed to as "slightly improved quality" then.

I honestly don't mind waiting, but that's just me. My money is already gone, so it won't matter if I get it today or tomorrow as long as I have the assurance I'm getting it, and for this project, I feel very confident the product will deliver.

Yes, to us consumers, it doesn't matter. But for businesses, time is money. And major delays like these can result to loss of money. And can then result to cutting losses and project abandonment.

[Honeybee]

Yes, to us consumers, it doesn't matter. But for businesses, time is money. And major delays like these can result to loss of money. And can then result to cutting losses and project abandonment.

[redux]

It's been almost a year since funding. I think they should start considering another printer like other big name creators have done.

[Adamthinks]

This is yet another campaign that's gone completely dark. No updates or comments of any sort from the creator since January. They were originally planning on using Cartamundi, so there would be some expected delays, but no comment of any sort leads me to think they've just abandoned the project.

[Harvonsgard]

With Widakk and Kellar running their own businesses, I have no doubt that they did crunch their numbers right and the project will fulfill as planned.

Didn't age that well, I guess.

[kevork]

With Widakk and Kellar running their own businesses, I have no doubt that they did crunch their numbers right and the project will fulfill as planned.

Didn't age that well, I guess.

I doubt they could've planned Cartamundi's shut down to this extent, but I messaged both Srdjan and Kellar to see if we're expected to receive an update. The radio silence is concerning.

[kevork]

Update: Kellar stated there will be an update later today.

[laitostarr777]

The decks will be printed by WJPCC for the TLDR of the update

Ha! Everyone goes for WJPC~

[hsbc]

WJPC reading about Cartamundi's factory closure:

[kevork]

For a foiled deck (one side) and glossy tuckbox (unfoiled/unembossed), they offer quite a good deal:

Code: Select all

$2.46/deck, total $1330 for 500 decks
$1.45/deck, total $1450 for 1000 decks
$1.12/deck, total $1680 for 1500 decks
$0.85/deck, total $1700 for 2000 decks

Basic deck with no foiling for comparison:

Code: Select all

$1.72/deck, total $857 for 500 decks
$1.07/deck, total $1070 for 1000 decks
$0.86/deck, total $1290 for 1500 decks
$0.66/deck, total $1320 for 2000 decks

Costs of course go up with things like gilding, foil on both sides, foiled/embossed tuckbox.

So if there's enough proof of product out there, I see how they're the popular kid in town everyone is flocking to. It's sad that Expert isn't getting some more love.

[redux]

Glad to see this project going forward. I was worried for quite some time.

[laitostarr777]

It's sad that Expert isn't getting some more love.

I believe Alex Chin still favors EPCC, and so does Jack Brutus Penny and FC Designs

[Honeybee]

I have been silly enough to compare deck printing with some pretty fancy supermarket packaging in the past on here and wondered how cheap printing can be
But even I am surprised at how cheap those costs are kev
Of course the add on costs could be considerable but they cannot double your quoted prices and we are talking about printed/cut/boxed = incredible. Stock and ink must be dirt cheap

Maybe an artist/designer can make more money than I thought
I am still thinking that shippers are the biggest winners out of custom card collecting

[montenzi]

For a foiled deck (one side) and glossy tuckbox (unfoiled/unembossed), they offer quite a good deal:

Code: Select all

$2.46/deck, total $1330 for 500 decks
$1.45/deck, total $1450 for 1000 decks
$1.12/deck, total $1680 for 1500 decks
$0.85/deck, total $1700 for 2000 decks

Basic deck with no foiling for comparison:

Code: Select all

$1.72/deck, total $857 for 500 decks
$1.07/deck, total $1070 for 1000 decks
$0.86/deck, total $1290 for 1500 decks
$0.66/deck, total $1320 for 2000 decks

WJPC? I have never seen such prices. Not even close (should be plus 100%/200%). I believe you are missing something.

[kevork]

WJPC? I have never seen such prices. Not even close (should be plus 100%/200%). I believe you are missing something.

That's what I was quoted by them directly, so I'd be shocked if they were misconstruing their pricing to a potential customer.