MYTHICAL playing cards live on Kickstarter

[Insighter]

Hello guys! Good day to everyone
Today we're launching our Kickstater
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ju ... ?ref=users

Thanks for your support and advices!

[MagikFingerz]

I like these. Decent pricing and shipping. In for an EB for now. Some questions and concerns though:

No mention of printer, although judging by the short timetable (printed and shipped by October) and low goal I assume it won't be USPCC nor EPCC/LPCC. Would be nice to know the printer.

Shouldn't Hera be the Queen of Hearts? She is the wife of Zeus.

I'd also like to see some more detailed pictures of the back design, we really only see it as part of the box or in the background.

[Insighter]

I like these. Decent pricing and shipping. In for an EB for now. Some questions and concerns though

Thanks:)

No mention of printer, although judging by the short timetable (printed and shipped by October) and low goal I assume it won't be USPCC nor EPCC/LPCC. Would be nice to know the printer.

Printed by Indigo HP indigo 5500 with our publishing partner in Kyiv (we have production representatives and reliable shipping partners in Frankfurt, Germany and Guangzhou, China.) Cards printed by off-set with math lamination. Box will be with selective varnish.

About short timetable
We have established production:
- complete art
- secure printing partner (we have finished our 1st project by them with high quality)
- trusty fulfillment service

So don't worry, you'll got your deck without any delays

Shouldn't Hera be the Queen of Hearts? She is the wife of Zeus.

Our designer proceed from art requirements (shadows, colors, character positioning) so we decided Aphrodite is more suitable

I'd also like to see some more detailed pictures of the back design, we really only see it as part of the box or in the background.

Here's some more art and prototype review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eJoiMvuOAI


Thanks for answers!

[sinjin7]

This deck has a lot of great potential. There is a good theme, and I really love the court cards and the rest of the full customization. I like that shipping is Euro-friendly for our long-suffering friends across the pond. I only have 2 issues with this deck, one minor and one major. The minor issue is that the muted monochromatic back design seems inconsistent with the vibrantly colorful court cards. The major issue is the printer.

Every time I see a campaign using anyone other than USPCC or EPCC/LPCC, they are ALWAYS going to insist the quality is great, that its comparable to USPCC, etc.. And the end product ALWAYS disappoints. The only stretch goal I want to see is an upgrade to these decks printed by the USPCC (or at least EPCC).

I'm in for now for 6 decks since the court cards are so great (and would probably upgrade to a dozen if its USPCC/EPCC), but if there isn't an upgrade on the printer, then I'm dropping my pledge, because there is just too many great decks coming out now and I have no time for ill-handling cards from unknown printers.

[Insighter]

Hello!

I'm in negotiations with USPCC, EPCC/LPCC and makeplayingcards.com now. Doing our best to create quality deck, but need some estimations.

Thanks for support!

[MagikFingerz]

The major issue is the printer.

Every time I see a campaign using anyone other than USPCC or EPCC/LPCC, they are ALWAYS going to insist the quality is great, that its comparable to USPCC, etc.. And the end product ALWAYS disappoints. The only stretch goal I want to see is an upgrade to these decks printed by the USPCC (or at least EPCC).

I'm in for now for 6 decks since the court cards are so great (and would probably upgrade to a dozen if its USPCC/EPCC), but if there isn't an upgrade on the printer, then I'm dropping my pledge, because there is just too many great decks coming out now and I have no time for ill-handling cards from unknown printers.

These are my exact thoughts as well.

[jerichoholic]

I am also being turned off by the lack of a known printer, that and the quality of the prototypes.

[Whaam]

Even though this is not my preferred style for cartoony, comic expression and better results would've been achieved with a little more work,...
I still kinda like it (a little).
Color balance is nice and the courts have the dynamic feel. It's a fun design.

Whoever backed their World of Mythology card game would probably back this project, as these characters are actually from that game.., now on playing cards (aren't they?)
They had 368 backers there so it's a little surprising this deck isn't doing better.

I think a more colorful and fun tuck case would be better here, back too. I assume creators have done their research and understood card collectors prefer ellegant tucks..., but I still think a fun tuck would be nicer and more consistent with the design.

Johnny

[Insighter]

Hello guys!

We're planning to create your Mythical decks with NPCC, creator of Defunctorum and lots of other playing card decks on KS
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/89 ... escription" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Decks will be with great quaility.

What do you think about this?

Thanks.

[sinjin7]

Every time I see a campaign using anyone other than USPCC or EPCC/LPCC, they are ALWAYS going to insist the quality is great, that its comparable to USPCC, etc.. And the end product ALWAYS disappoints.

Hello guys!

We're planning to create your Mythical decks with NPCC, creator of Defunctorum and lots of other playing card decks on KS
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/89 ... escription" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;..

Decks will be with great quaility.

What do you think about this?

Thanks.

This is a shame, I like these cards, but why waste time and resources on a lesser quality deck (even if the art is great) when there are so many great options out there now. Everyone is getting more selective now. If you have a good design, have confidence in it and go with the better printers and your campaign will still fund, despite needing a higher funding goal.

I get that you want to make money, but why skimp on quality, of all things? If you go with USPCC or EPCC/LPCC, you'll get a lot more support, which will help offset some of the higher costs of the top quality printers. The end product will be something you can be truly proud of and your backers will appreciate the higher quality and will be back to support you in the future. Put out something that isn't the best it could be and you'll lose your backers because many will feel burned.

Look at all the past playing card KS campaigns, we have a big enough sample size now. Check to see if there are any artists out there who used crappy printers (with crappy printers defined as anyone other than USPCC or EPCC/LPCC) and see if they had second or third campaigns. The vast majority of them do not have any kind of sustained success. Now look at all the most successful playing card campaigns - the ones that made the most money, or the artists that are able to continue putting out mulitple sucessful campaigns. Without exception, they ALL use USPCC or EPCC/LPCC, and have done so from the start.

If your goal is to be a one-and-done project and you have no interest in making any more decks after this one, then disregard everything I've written and lower your bottom line as much as you can so you can line your pockets in a cash grab, backers and quality be damned. Personally, I think you have the artistic chops to carve out a place among playing card designers, so I sincerely hope you switch over to USPCC, even if it means re-doing your campaign. You only have one chance at a first deck, why not make it the best it can be?

[ecNate]

So much truth above. Anyhow, a new super EB single deck is now available. Questionable printer and edge bleed during my more exclusive buying period means I have re-considered as hopes of a better printer are gone.

[sinjin7]

I don't think these guys are serious about putting out a quality product. With their short 2 week funding window and their little-used crappy printer that can churn something out in a short period of time, its clear their real goal was just to pump something out quickly in order to help promote their game, which is their real priority. I'm out and dropping my pledge.

[DragonSoul]

Well, I liked the artwork enough on these that I was willing to spring for 1 of each deck even if they were NPCC. However, just like Alice of Wonderland they switched printers AFTER the campaign to some unknown company.

To their credit, they at least delivered them (unlike Alice of Wonderland) but, they are absolutely the worst quality cards I've ever received through Kickstarter and quite possibly the worst in my collection. Whatever company they used must have had zero knowledge about printing playing cards.

Wish I had followed Sinjin's and ecNate's lead and dropped my pledge.

[jerichoholic]

I don't believe they ever said they were printing with NPCC, just one of their own printers. I know the prototype I got had a terrible quality so I wasn't interested in backing unless they had a good printer do the decks.

[DragonSoul]

They said it here.

Hello guys!

We're planning to create your Mythical decks with NPCC, creator of Defunctorum and lots of other playing card decks on KS
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/89 ... escription" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;..

Decks will be with great quaility.

What do you think about this?

Thanks.

[jerichoholic]

Where was that posted? I don't see it anywhere though they did have an update saying they were changing back to their printer in the Ukraine.

[DragonSoul]

In this thread. Just scroll back a few posts to September 3rd.

[sinjin7]

So these guys passed on quality to make a few more bucks and went with a crappy printer. Then after the campaign was done and they had their backer's money in hand, they switched to an even crappier printer? These jokers make Dent du Lion (of the Leonardo deck infamy) look like a saint. The ridiculous thing is that they're talking about future card projects! Its like they don't even realize they have no remaining shred of credibility left. More people seriously need to post on the KS comment section about how sketchy this bait and switch was and how such poor quality cards are unacceptable.

[Justin O.]

Really sad about everything that happened after the art, the art and style of this deck is my favorite of all of the mythos/polytheistic decks I have seen, but I didn't want to support makeplayingcards.com and didn't back, looks like the project creator really stiffed their backers by switching to an unknown and likely even lower quality printer. Really wish they would have gone with quality or that I could just reprint their deck for them...

[jerichoholic]

From what i've seen on their project, it would seem they wanted to print with their local printer, whoever it is, same one who printed the prototypes I got, but it would seem they were under pressure to change. They made some updates about changing to NPCC, but then they ultimately went back to their own printer for some reason. Were they pocketing extra cash? Who knows. But it's not like they advertised an NPCC deck from the get go or anything. However they did advertise a good quality deck and apparently didn't deliver.

Speaking of which, anyone want to buy a set of limited edition rare Mythical prototypes?

[JazzVox]

I got two decks of each and am really disappointed in the quality of the printing as well - the cards just feel wax coated and just - weird. Shame as I liked the design.

[PrincessTrouble]

Glad I backed out of this one and dropped my pledge. I liked the artwork, though.

[Insighter]

Hello. Now we see two groups of backers. The 1st group consists of people who love the artwork. The 2nd group consists of playing cards experts / collectors who don't like the quality. We don't argue about the final product quality, yes it's not a Bicycle deck. But the main part of Mythical is illustration. We made mistakes in timing and printer. Next time there will be the difference. All backers will have special gift from our company.We appreciate any pieces of advice on how to create the best playing cards. Thanks you dear community.

[Justin O.]

Hello. Now we see two groups of backers. The 1st group consists of people who love the artwork. The 2nd group consists of playing cards experts / collectors who don't like the quality.

I think a lot of us are both groups, I absolutely love the artwork, I would love to take all of your stock image file and get the deck printed through a reputable printer and get to own this deck to my standards, and make it available to everyone else who loves the art with even the most basic quality standards. I'm excited to see what you guys do moving forward.

[sinjin7]

Hello. Now we see two groups of backers. The 1st group consists of people who love the artwork. The 2nd group consists of playing cards experts / collectors who don't like the quality. We don't argue about the final product quality, yes it's not a Bicycle deck. But the main part of Mythical is illustration. We made mistakes in timing and printer. Next time there will be the difference. All backers will have special gift from our company.We appreciate any pieces of advice on how to create the best playing cards. Thanks you dear community.

I'm not buying this explanation. Look back at all the comments posted in this thread, we gave you ample advice and warnings about printers and card quality. You yourself even mentioned you would look into EPCC. You charged the price of quality playing cards in your Kickstarter campaign and then went with a lower cost printer instead. Then after funding ended, you switched over to an even lower quality printer behind your supporter's backs! That is indefensible. I view your campaign as just a naked cash grab and I suspect your main intention was to promote your table game and maximize your profit margin instead of putting out a quality product.

If all we wanted was art, we can buy paintings and posters. Your Kickstarter campaign was for playing cards (that happened to have some art on them) and you broke your backer's trust by misleading them about the printer and quality of your alleged playing cards. I don't know you get a "next time", at least from me you won't. You want advice? Please stick to making table games.

[Cbkimble]

Definitely shot your own foot on this one. You might find art enthusiasts to back your projects, but as far as card collectors go, you're done.

[Justin O.]

Hello. Now we see two groups of backers. The 1st group consists of people who love the artwork. The 2nd group consists of playing cards experts / collectors who don't like the quality.

... I would love to take all of your stock image file and get the deck printed through a reputable printer and get to own this deck to my standards, and make it available to everyone else who loves the art with even the most basic quality standards.
...

Really though, can I have the art files and rights?