Ankh Playing Cards by ARK Playing Cards

[axolotl2026]

Everyone saying that they don't use AI while show casing the sketches of the backs. I'm a fan of ark but I also wouldn't put it past them to use AI on some of the faces or aces. Can anyone provide an artists sketch or proof of the face cards? All anyone points to is the back which is something they can clearly mock up.

[laitostarr777]

Everyone saying that they don't use AI while show casing the sketches of the backs. I'm a fan of ark but I also wouldn't put it past them to use AI on some of the faces or aces. Can anyone provide an artists sketch or proof of the face cards? All anyone points to is the back which is something they can clearly mock up.

Check the very first post, there's the sketch to finish of one of the courts

[Disenchanted_11]

AI have been trying to perfect Turing tests all these years, and now we have a problem of determining which is human's work anymore. AI won, I guess? Lol.

If I like what I'm seeing, I'll buy. No drama.

[laitostarr777]

I understand if some people are now becoming techno paranoid - like hearing some victims getting scammed by people who claimed they are creative creators, but revealed to be using AI.

Im 100% believe ARK never uses AI on anything they worked on. This might sound like I am “fanboying” ARK, but I am not - I am still disagree with them on a few stuffs

[Harvonsgard]

There is a difference between AI and AI. Photoshop integrates AI just like almost all modern PC programs nowadays. The sketches provided are all data files so it doesn't certainly prove that they don't use AI.

[shermjack]

How come the Angeldom and Devildom decks were offered so cheaply during the pre-order?

To increase a form of FOMO.

I'm sorry...what does FOMO mean? Trying to get deck collectors "in the door" by offering a cheaper price?

FOMO - Fear Of Missing Out

[Evilgamer]

live now but my word the shipping, $70 for the "all in"

I may have to rethink that (doesnt endear me to "put the nice deck in a heavy wood box" any more than I was before).

I also think they have done the black deck a disservice, I dont see any reason why that deck is worth $100 with distant black and white pictures

[axolotl2026]

live now but my word the shipping, $70 for the "all in"

I may have to rethink that (doesnt endear me to "put the nice deck in a heavy wood box" any more than I was before).

I also think they have done the black deck a disservice, I dont see any reason why that deck is worth $100 with distant black and white pictures

Yea that black deck was disappointing. I imagined they would offer the black one as a special edition version with the collectors set and the blue would be in the walnut box.

Even the collectors set is more expensive this time around. After shipping to the US it's $100 which is costly even for their standards.

[Adamthinks]

live now but my word the shipping, $70 for the "all in"

I may have to rethink that (doesnt endear me to "put the nice deck in a heavy wood box" any more than I was before).

I also think they have done the black deck a disservice, I dont see any reason why that deck is worth $100 with distant black and white pictures

Yea that black deck was disappointing. I imagined they would offer the black one as a special edition version with the collectors set and the blue would be in the walnut box.

Even the collectors set is more expensive this time around. After shipping to the US it's $100 which is costly even for their standards.

The black one is definitely meh. Though the pricing is the same as the box sets from Halidom and Devildom.

[Disenchanted_11]

I think the Black's selling point is the metal plate? Also black cards always cool (apart from the chipping edges). Though it would've done them better if they Holo'ed it and put it on the special ark tuck.


On a forum housekeeping side note: you don't need to quote when replying to latest.

[KGthePrince]

Even though the blue deck looks super cool, I'm still not gonna back it. Ark needs to stop these box set gimmicks and sell the decks individually. If that happened, I'd probably back them a lot regularly. It seems like they have their devoted fans regardless of my protests

[laitostarr777]

Unfortunately, their standalone deck is ONLY the most standard ones. They probably not gotta allow you get the luxurious ones alone - unless others will be generous later to make their box sets has a “hole” inside, if you get what I mean

[EndersGame]

Ankh Playing Cards by ARK Playing Cards (Kickstarter)

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ca ... rds-by-ark

Current funding level: already funded
Kickstarter ends: Tuesday, May 28, 2024

ARK Playing Cards is one of the foremost creators of luxury playing cards in recent years, and they are highly regarded for their lavish production and creative tuck boxes. Their newest project is Ankh Playing Cards and is currently being funded on Kickstarter.



This deck is named after the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic symbol ankh, which represents life. Ancient Egyptian religion was fixated on their ideas about life and about the afterlife, and these provide the inspiration for this new deck.

An elaborate tuck case immediately captures this Egyptian theme. ARK's previous project, Apollo Playing Cards, was inspired by the Greek sun god Apollo, and featured a unique tuck case with a pop-out feature that could unfold and rotate to form a complete circle to depict the sun which the god Apollo was all about. In a similar way, Ankh Playing Cards has an ideal and unique tuck case, because it unfolds to create a pyramid structure, which perfectly matches the Egyptian theme that inspired this deck. This animated gif does a good job of showing what this effect looks like:



The pyramid is immediately recognizable as an Egyptian icon, and the case opens up to create this triangular structure. The mechanism relies on a nested structure of six layers, with hidden sliding tracks and pivots that ensure it opens and closes smoothly.

The artwork on the cards combines handdrawn and digital techniques, drawing upon Egyptian mythology and historical murals, in a distinctly classical Egyptian style.



The card faces depict the different gods of ancient Egypt, and various aspects of their mythology and religion, with illustations and motifs found throughout all aspects of the deck.





Much like we've seen with previous ARK projects, this project is available with different levels and styles of luxury packaging:
● Standard Deck (limited edition of 3333): single deck, including the creative pop-out pyramid tuck case (US$30)
● Artist Boxset (limited edition of 999): holographic foil deck & monochromatic deck, in a gift box with a book (US$75)
● Walnut Boxset (limited edition of 333): holographic foil gold deck with gilded edges, plus a collectible coin, in a walnut gift box (US$185)
● Luxury Black (limited edition of 99): black-edged deck, plus an embossed metal plate (US$150, only available as part of the "All-In" reward)



Extra add-ons like uncut sheets and coins are also available separately. Here's a preview of how each of the above four packaging and deck options look.

1. Standard Deck

This is a limited edition of 3333 decks, all with individually numbered seals, and is the base level deck, but includes the creative pyramid themed tuck case.

Tuck case





Cards











2. Artist Box set

These 999 box sets (again individually numbered) consist of a special gift box that includes a book, and two decks: a holo deck with the special pyramid tuck case, and a second special deck which is more monochromatic in colour and style.

Box







Holo deck











Special deck





Book



3. Walnut Box set

The Walnut Box set is limited to 333 copies, all individually numbered, and in a stunning wooden display box with a pyramid shape. The deck included is a gold deck with holographic foil and gilded edges, and there's also a collectible coin.

Box







Gold deck











Coin



4. Luxury Black set

Only 99 individually numbered Luxury Black sets are available, and you can only get this with the "all in" option. This is a black deck (with black edges) that has white artwork and design, and comes with a numbered embossed metal plate.

Black deck







Metal plate



Head over to the project page for more pictures of these extravagant collectors pieces.

Kickstarter link

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ca ... rds-by-ark

[laitostarr777]

The Luxury Black is gone… this is fine

The metal card is tempting, but, don’t think it’s worth fighting for it

[Strag]

Very expensive campaign, also quite confusing. Card designs are overly busy for me. Only thing that really interests is the coin for me.

[That Filthy Casual]

Very much on the fence with this one. On the one hand, it's a very cool design, and I do realise there is something wonderful about Egyptian themed decks. However, the price, even for the standard, it quite ridiculous, as is the postage on top (at least for my country, Japan). I wonder if some of these decks will later find themselves available on Penguin Magic or Vanishing Inc at a later date, where free postage might justify a purchase.

[Evilgamer]

Very much on the fence with this one. On the one hand, it's a very cool design, and I do realise there is something wonderful about Egyptian themed decks. However, the price, even for the standard, it quite ridiculous, as is the postage on top (at least for my country, Japan). I wonder if some of these decks will later find themselves available on Penguin Magic or Vanishing Inc at a later date, where free postage might justify a purchase.

That very much depends on how much they are asking for shipping to Japan. Right now for example Penguin has most of the devildom/halidom sets for $98 which is $23 more than the kickstarter price was. They have the base decks for $62 rather vs ks $37. Though both of those are better than the add-on prices that Ark has for them in this campaign.

Ark is dead serious when they say the price will go up after KS.

As I said above this (as a US resident) is BY FAR the most expensive shipping Ive ever seen on KS, especially for some of the larger sets. I think Im paying about $70 just for shipping which is utterly stupid.

[That Filthy Casual]

Well, as much as I really wanted these, I've decided to give them a pass. If I see them for the price, minus the postage, then maybe I'll bite. But, honestly, I can buy something like 3 or 4 other decks for the same amount. I appreciate that these are made for people with far more cash than I have.

[NIAVLYSYUG]

I understand if some people are now becoming techno paranoid - like hearing some victims getting scammed by people who claimed they are creative creators, but revealed to be using AI.

Im 100% believe ARK never uses AI on anything they worked on. This might sound like I am “fanboying” ARK, but I am not - I am still disagree with them on a few stuffs

Hi to all the cards fans!

Thank you laitostarr77 for your good observations about the perception of several persons about the use of AI in creation of graphic design... and cards!

Here is my opinion regarding decks designed with the help of artificial intelligence... I have been working with artificial intelligence for image creation for over a year.

Those who (through ignorance or snobbery) discredit the use of this tool among many others for the creation of “MAGNIFICENT” works, should find out more before drawing pejorative conclusions.

You are the creator who dictates to a graphic tool that is artificial intelligence, the vision that you want to materialize.

To achieve the image that your thoughts imagine, there is a composition process that must be clearly defined when writing the script required for executing the image constructed by artificial intelligence; and this work is long and laborious before obtaining the right configuration for the desired composition in order to express your idea; and the work does not stop there, there is then the modification of this image to adapt it to the desired project with Photoshop and Illustrator.

Are you like those purists who decried the use of editing software like illustrator and Photoshop in the field of printing, 50 years ago... It is undeniable that the chosen tool only serves to bring life to the idea, to the vision that the artist imagines. The beauty of a work does not question its creator about the tool he used...it is more the result that counts, for the pleasure of our senses!

Best regards!
NIAVLYSYUG

[BaconWise]

I understand if some people are now becoming techno paranoid - like hearing some victims getting scammed by people who claimed they are creative creators, but revealed to be using AI.

Im 100% believe ARK never uses AI on anything they worked on. This might sound like I am “fanboying” ARK, but I am not - I am still disagree with them on a few stuffs

Hi to all the cards fans!

Thank you laitostarr77 for your good observations about the perception of several persons about the use of AI in creation of graphic design... and cards!

Here is my opinion regarding decks designed with the help of artificial intelligence... I have been working with artificial intelligence for image creation for over a year.

Those who (through ignorance or snobbery) discredit the use of this tool among many others for the creation of “MAGNIFICENT” works, should find out more before drawing pejorative conclusions.

You are the creator who dictates to a graphic tool that is artificial intelligence, the vision that you want to materialize.

To achieve the image that your thoughts imagine, there is a composition process that must be clearly defined when writing the script required for executing the image constructed by artificial intelligence; and this work is long and laborious before obtaining the right configuration for the desired composition in order to express your idea; and the work does not stop there, there is then the modification of this image to adapt it to the desired project with Photoshop and Illustrator.

Are you like those purists who decried the use of editing software like illustrator and Photoshop in the field of printing, 50 years ago... It is undeniable that the chosen tool only serves to bring life to the idea, to the vision that the artist imagines. The beauty of a work does not question its creator about the tool he used...it is more the result that counts, for the pleasure of our senses!

Best regards!
NIAVLYSYUG

Valid opinion and AI is certainly here to stay. That being said (and despite this off-topic tangent), I will always try to avoid projects done by AI. Part of the experience for me is the fact a human is creating something from a blank page. That spark of physical creation is lacking with AI prompts. With AI, the creator is manipulating an established image that is aggregated from countless references out there on the web. Is there effort to edit that established image and is there effort to create a well-crafted prompt? Absolutely. But the talent and skill that comes from years of practice and doodling are what's lacking. It's a very special skill to be able to illustrate artwork so I will always support human artists for that reason.

[Adamthinks]

Valid opinion and AI is certainly here to stay. That being said (and despite this off-topic tangent), I will always try to avoid projects done by AI. Part of the experience for me is the fact a human is creating something from a blank page. That spark of physical creation is lacking with AI prompts. With AI, the creator is manipulating an established image that is aggregated from countless references out there on the web. Is there effort to edit that established image and is there effort to create a well-crafted prompt? Absolutely. But the talent and skill that comes from years of practice and doodling are what's lacking. It's a very special skill to be able to illustrate artwork so I will always support human artists for that reason.

To add to that, there is something missing in the overall expression when the fine details aren't handled by the artist. Is AI a useful tool for graphic design? Sure. But it's very lacking in the creation of art.

[NIAVLYSYUG]

Hi BaconWise

You say "With AI, the creator manipulates an established image that is aggregated from countless references available on the web." I partly understand your comment but I disagree that the use of AI is devoid of creativity...

Understand that it is not only with AI that creators draw their references from what surrounds them...this happens for all creators who draw their visions from their own experiences, from authors that they have often admired and using already existing cultural references (the great photographers are an example)... They capture a moment in time and express their works through framing, an original composition through modifications facilitated by Photoshop.

I can tell you without hesitation that these are artists who manipulate light with a camera in order to capture a magical moment that will touch our emotions.

AI can do nothing without our intervention just as a camera cannot create works... human intervention is necessary, it is the photographer, for example, who designs it in his vision.

I am stunned and ecstatic by the talent of artists like Lorenzo, Lotrek, Kevin Cantrell... I do not master their creative tools (pencils and electronic tablets and use of Illustrator) in order to share my emotions as they can. do, but my vision will find a way, a path with the help of AI and my knowledge of its use (composition of advanced scripts) combined with my photographic expertise and my experience as an infographic...

Soon I will submit to you my vision of a French tarot card game (to play) and subsequently a poker... And you will give me a large smile!



Have a nice day,
Kind regards
NIAVLYS YUG

[manu]

Valid opinion and AI is certainly here to stay. That being said (and despite this off-topic tangent), I will always try to avoid projects done by AI.

Well said.

If we put AI aside for a moment, let's imagine a deck made from stock images and premade assets. No matter how much those images are manipulated in Photoshop, it won't have the same "spark" (as BaconWise puts it) as something created from scratch by an artist. That's not to say that you can't make a good design using stock elements—you almost certainly can—but it is much more difficult, in my opinion.

Now, replace stock images with AI and the situation becomes even worse. Stock images were at least made by a person who willingly sold them to be used by others. AI image generators, on the other hand, are created by training on material without the permission of the artists, which, for me, sours anything made with them. In general, AI-generated art feels more generic and soulless. Most creators who use AI don't meaningfully transform the images; they just pump out some decent images that they can use to make a quick buck.

To me, the most important thing is that any use of AI is clearly and properly disclosed.

[KingfisherZero]

It's a tricky line. I get Baconwise's point and genuinely prefer art that is created by hand. But for decades we have used tools that serve to enhance that work in various ways. We have tools that "vectorize" and image to give crisper lines. Color selection tools that let an artist find the EXACT right hue. To some degree AI is a tool in the same vein. Yeah, there's definitely a point where it crosses the line and I'm not sure where to place it. As I have learned more about AI, I see a lot more how it can be a force multiplier tool for otherwise talented artists. But I have also seen things get reduced to "prompt engineers" who do little more than spam prompts until they get a decent output to use.

I can certainly appreciate the desire to chase after handmade art. I even agree to large degree. But I also think that we should do more to study the nuance and ways that it can become a next gen tool that enhances rather than one that replaces traditional artistic skill.

[GandalfPC]

I think the way Ark is going it should be about three campaigns from now when they offer a Lamborghini with a deck in the trunk.

[kevork]

I think the way Ark is going it should be about three campaigns from now when they offer a Lamborghini with a deck in the trunk.

Needs more junk in the trunk for me to be a backer.

[EndersGame]

For a detailed expose of AI-generated artwork in a custom deck of cards, see this detailed analysis on Nicolae Aaroe's "Gothica" deck:

Gothica by The Other Self

Generative AI in playing cards ft. Nicolai Aarøe - visual analysis

It's by someone with expertise in graphic design and AI art, and the results are quite shocking.

[laitostarr777]

I think the way Ark is going it should be about three campaigns from now when they offer a Lamborghini with a deck in the trunk.

Hmmm I can think of something like this:
ARK inspired from the Revolution Era of the US, where cars are inveted - and the highest tier will be an exact replica of a vintage car, in which it's trunk would store a very fancy schmancy deck with a gold coin embedded onto the hood.

I salute them if it ever happened in the next 10 years XD (am not wishing for it to happen)

[Harvonsgard]

Part of the experience for me is the fact a human is creating something from a blank page.

That's not how humans work. It's a stark simplification at best. Just like AI, humans create by taking in everything they've seen and experience in life. They use references and prompts like AI. I'd say the only difference is that AI has the capability of taking in hugher amounts of source material and therefore is less individualistic. Comparing it with cuisine, I'd say for now AI is cooking with way too much ingredients, that's why the results are too mushy and are often alienating for human eyes.

[krystalie]

I think the way Ark is going it should be about three campaigns from now when they offer a Lamborghini with a deck in the trunk.

If you ever want to split, I'll take the Lamborghini off your hands.