Kite by Ark Playing Cards

[kevork]

Launching October 14th
[ Kickstarter Notification Link]

[laitostarr777]

I am one of the lucky guy who get to see the preview of this upcoming project, and it is very interesting!

The tuckbox itself can spread open to form the Chinese Kite. To keep the folds spread open, you need four cards to be inserted into the sleeve to match the artworks and voila!

[Harvonsgard]

First crazy tuck that is impressive.

[Evilgamer]

can't wait for the $300 version with a real wood kite.

[Zzzzi]

No wood kite. The $300 version looks like this.

[Evilgamer]

its pretty to be sure, but they'd really have to release a spectacular deck for me to spring for that.

[kevork]

Those sweet sweet profit margins. Yikes.

[brownsl]

No interest in gimmicky cases.

[felicityk]

No interest in gimmicky cases.

I've fallen prey to a few too many of these, and after Apollo and Ankh I think I'm finally ready to quit.

[KGthePrince]

Ark is egregrious with its pricing. Its almost laughable that they think any of their decks are worth $300.

[mulrich]

Ark is egregrious with its pricing. Its almost laughable that they think any of their decks are worth $300.

At those prices you're paying for the fancy wood box and not the cards (even really fancy cards don't cost that much more than simpler cards). Whether the fancy wood boxes are worth the cost is a personal preference. But the kite looks like a fancy cardboard box which will be much harder to justify a high price point.

[Honeybee]

I am one of the lucky guy who get to see the preview of this upcoming project, and it is very interesting!

The tuckbox itself can spread open to form the Chinese Kite. To keep the folds spread open, you need four cards to be inserted into the sleeve to match the artworks and voila!

Thanks Laito but even the kite doesn't knock my socks off

[Adamthinks]

I'm really digging what I see so far. I'll very likely be in on this one.

[laitostarr777]

I am one of the lucky guy who get to see the preview of this upcoming project, and it is very interesting!

The tuckbox itself can spread open to form the Chinese Kite. To keep the folds spread open, you need four cards to be inserted into the sleeve to match the artworks and voila!

Thanks Laito but even the kite doesn't knock my socks off

Seen the court cards for this deck, and it doesn’t warrant me to go hard for this. Either just go for classic standard or not backing at all - opted for the latter, because I am hoping ARK will tackle on Halloween stuffs that Lunzi had been illustrating.

[laitostarr777]

ARK is cruel… they locked the Blue Variant as an Artist Setbox… once again… ARK sets up decks that we REALLY wanted in a set box, as always…

[Evilgamer]

We used a blue edge for it to meet the individual needs of collectors. This is a first for the Edge in the Artist Boxset.

I do love non English speaker translations

what if my needs are for red or gold edges?


$80 again...I dunno about that, between TWI and KWP Ive bought a lot of expensive campaigns recently.

they look...fine...they are foiled which is my weakness but its not a must pledge.

[laitostarr777]

First time ARK’s Artist Setbox that has the colored decks to have gilding.

Probably already hearing out complains of collectors saying: UGH the deck in the set box NEEDS TO BE SPECIAL

[zlexander]

So are both deck Gilded in the collectors boxset? I am to planning to just get a standard one

[KGthePrince]

The court art is underwhelming for the price (again). Ark doesn't seem intent on changing their price model. Until they improve, I refuse to back any of their projects (even if the blue kite tuck is gorgeous). Even though I am a certified Ark hater, I will give them props for Shan Hai. That deck is awesome.

[EndersGame]

Here's a write-up I did about this project, along with more pictures.

Kite Playing Cards by ARK Playing Cards (Kickstarter)

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

Custom playing cards inspired by the Chinese heritage of the kite, combining tradition, sophistication, and grace.

Current funding level: already funded
Kickstarter ends: Monday, October 28, 2024

In recent years ARK Playing Cards has become well-known as a creator of luxury playing cards, that are especially notable for their lavish production and creative tuck boxes. Their newest project is Kite Playing Cards is currently being funded on Kickstarter, and continues this trend of innovation and quality.



As with many of their previous projects, Kite Playing Cards is inspired by Chinese culture, and relies on innovative printing techniques and a creative tuck case design. ARK constantly pushes the boundaries of what we've previously seen in the world of playing cards, and in this instance they've come up with a creative and foldable structure that is based on an important symbol from China's cultural heritage: the kite.

Kites date back some 2500 years to the Eastern Zhou period, and stem from a time where the papermaking industry had flourished. Civilians began using paper to cover kites, which is a tradition that continues to this day, both as a form of entertainment, as well as a source of rich symbolism.

To capture this theme, they've come up with a unique concept for the tuck box of the playing cards unlike any other we've ever seen before. When closed, it folds into the usual shape of a card box, to store the playing cards. But when unfolded it displays the classic silhouette of a swallow kite. The case even has a display stand, because you can insert playing cards into special slots in the tuck box to act as the bamboo "frame" of the kite, enabling the box to be supported and displayed.

This animated gif does a good job of showing what this effect looks like:



The design of the tuck box features the traditional Shayan kite, and decorative patterns include important symbols such as Chinese knots, flowers, koi fish, catfish, and bats.

The card backs combine bamboo strips with Chinese patterns, and hidden in the design are items like the kite's spool, as well as symbols of joy and prosperity such as seals, bats, and swallows.

The four suits all correspond to different symbols and kite shapes:
- Spades: classic Shayan kite = good fortune
- Hearts: butterfly shape = happiness and fulfillment
- Clubs: goldfish shape = abundance and wealth
- Diamonds: dragonfly shape = grace and beauty

The faces on all the cards are decorated with exquisite patterns and motifs related to kites. The court cards show figures engaging in kite-related activities such as kite flying, crafting, and weaving.

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 folding kite tuck case and stand (US$30)
● Artist Boxset (limited edition of 999): holographic foil deck & monochromatic deck, in a gift box with a book (US$80)
● 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 folding kite-shaped 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 foil deck (with blue gilding) in the special folding kite 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 multifunctional wooden box that can be set-up for a special display of the deck. 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 many more pictures of these unique collectors pieces.

Kickstarter link

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

[laitostarr777]

The court art is underwhelming for the price (again). Ark doesn't seem intent on changing their price model.

Unfortunately, that is the case, because they are already in their comfort zone - thanks to the high rollers who keep them rollin (a certain guy here is one)

[Dplay]

I usually buy in on the cheapest level. The standalone deck is enough to experience the gimmick of each campaign without breaking the bank. In the beginning I usually added one of the two-deck boxes but found myself not caring enough for them after a while to warrant the additional expense (and shelf space) (although they now include additional information at least). This time around I actually like the artwork more than most of the time. Not enough to break with the newly established pattern but I'm actually looking forward to it.

[kevork]

I really like that blue holo deck but I will not be going for a box set to get it.

[Strag]

This is the first Ark deck in a while that I've actually liked, but still cannot be bothered to figure out all the variants so I guess it's a no sale for me.

[EndersGame]

This is the first Ark deck in a while that I've actually liked, but still cannot be bothered to figure out all the variants so I guess it's a no sale for me.

No need for you to figure out all the variants, I already did that for you in the above post

I'll reproduce the key part here:

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 folding kite tuck case and stand (US$30)
● Artist Boxset (limited edition of 999): holographic foil deck & monochromatic deck, in a gift box with a book (US$80)
● 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)

[Strag]

Yikes, those are some crazy variants/prices. Thanks for summing it up, now I don't have to worry about missing out on something

[Zzzzi]

Now this project can add-on Azure Dragon 2024 anniversary edition, limited 2024 and purchase limit 1.

because of this, most people in Chinese ark chat group are very angry, thinking that it is not possible to simply change colors like this, and sell it for so much.They've been fighting since this morning.

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[zlexander]

Now this project can add-on Azure Dragon 2024 anniversary edition, limited 2024 and purchase limit 1.

because of this, most people in Chinese ark chat group are very angry, thinking that it is not possible to simply change colors like this, and sell it for so much.They've been fighting since this morning.

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Well considering all thing Ark they are really keeping this launch very private , the info is Backers Only , they didn't mail or post on any social media to promote this deck . I feel the price is pretty good tbh . Ark not promoting it is definitely a different thing contrary to what they usually do (heavy on promotion).

[Evilgamer]

The only thing I don’t like about it is that they haven’t decided how many to print so it still could be thousands and sold later.

Sunny side is that it’s a translation issue and the reality is closer to “we will print as many as we sell and no more”.

But yes for those of us in the west for a color swap.. “first time?”

[laitostarr777]

Now this project can add-on Azure Dragon 2024 anniversary edition, limited 2024 and purchase limit 1.

because of this, most people in Chinese ark chat group are very angry, thinking that it is not possible to simply change colors like this, and sell it for so much.They've been fighting since this morning.

mmexport1729955760753.jpgmmexport1729955762580.jpgmmexport1729955764734.jpgmmexport1729955818987_edit_2099636512298886.jpg

Yeah… this really comes as a surprise in my email notif…
Since I don’t have the complete Four Divine Beasts collection (thanks to ARK’s previous model of set box forcing for the Standard Editions back then and there is that bundle that collects all four Beasts, yet the decks are gilded, and comes in wooden box complete with respective metal cards - both that I don’t get because I am a peasant to this high luxury brand), I don’t have to worry bout this.

It is indeed beautiful, tempting to get, but still gimmicky and opportunistic… (just like how TCC recolor their Dragonlord deck into red n gold for the sake of the Year of the Dragon)

Also… I think I know the Chinese are mad according to your words… “the limit 1” is preventing them to make money out of ARK’s hoarding from Kickstarter lol