The Successor by TGW/Kevin Cantrell

[Timmargh]

entitled much?

how bout “re-seller” since that’s what you do as well now

It looks like they need an "Unnecessarily Tw*tish" tag, too.

[rousselle]

Hi, everybody! Putting on my mod hat for a moment here:

Please, let's bring this thread back onto the relevant topics. If y'all wanna smurf all over each other, please feel free to take it to the Thunderdome.

Thanks!

[Strag]

Remember that you can mute individual accounts. I have. It's great until people start quoting them

[laitostarr777]

"Studio Pression in France is printing the tucks"

Studio Pression? Hey, that's a new company we never heard off till now. Hope it will produce the tucks really well!

[veil]

"Studio Pression in France is printing the tucks"

Studio Pression? Hey, that's a new company we never heard off till now. Hope it will produce the tucks really well!

Studio Pression isn't totally unknown; Mr. Cup has been printing his tucks with them since the first Ephemerid campaign.

[laitostarr777]

Studio Pression isn't totally unknown; Mr. Cup has been printing his tucks with them since the first Ephemerid campaign.

Oh, sorry bout that. I don't own any of Mr. Cup's decks so I never heard of the name ^^;

[TheGentlemanWake]

Hi. Yes as mentioned Studio Pression is the printer Mr Cup utilizes. In fact Fabien (mr cup) is my liaison on the ground. If folks recall he did the letterpress sleeves for the Parlour brick boxes. Initially I got quotes from a few well known printers including Boschiero & Newton but Studio Pression is one of the few offering 3D sculptural embossing. The papers and foils are pretty much industry standards across most printers. Kurz foils are used by just about everyone.

[TheGentlemanWake]

Working on the prototype files for Cartamundi, after receiving the color proofs. Made a few changes but super happy! Can't wait to see the finished cards! Some lo-res screengrabs below. Red and Blue will have metallic gold ink. The white and green feature cold foil.

[EndersGame]

Aside from the court cards, the artwork from this deck gives me strong vibes of Kevin's STANDARDS decks.

I like Kevin Cantrell's work, but the style here seems to borrow almost too much from the STANDARDS (which I do love BTW). Especially the Aces and number cards. Even the card backs to some extent.

Or am I imagining things, and is it just me?

[TheGentlemanWake]

Aside from the court cards, the artwork from this deck gives me strong vibes of Kevin's STANDARDS decks.

I like Kevin Cantrell's work, but the style here seems to borrow almost too much from the STANDARDS (which I do love BTW). Especially the Aces and number cards. Even the card backs to some extent.

Or am I imagining things, and is it just me?

I think this is bound to happen. Artists have styles that they enjoy and iterate on. Just look at Lotrek and Gio and Elletra and decks from Jocu. They all have strong stylisitic similarities. Lord KNOWS jackson robinson has beat the proverbial horse on the Federal series into the ground--to great success--those are beautiful decks. I think Successor is in a way a spiritual successor (pun intended) to standards. Albeit one that reached back to the 14th century rather than modern british royalty. Having said that, the courts are DEFINITELY different featuring many more colors. The jokers are works of art and the Backs in my opinion are nothing like any KSC back design--especially the ambigram back--which features KCS first ambigram design of any kind on any product. Another important distinction is that the successors (like parlour and tempest before it) will feature eggshell paper color instead of stark white and of course will be the FIRST KCS designed deck to included any gold foil or be printed by Cartamundi for that matter.

I can certainly see the similarities with the pips and aces being intricate and the aces case being large and detailed with design. However, the standards ace designs are more ornamental and almost architecturally abstract--whereas the Successor are iconographic and feel like scenes featured on stained glass windows.

[laitostarr777]

TLDR:
Probably THIS Successors is going to OUTLIVED The Standards
Just by seeing how the EXTRA LAVISH Collector's box compared to Standards Collector's Box - easily beats by the looks XD - Not to mention, that the editions for the Sucessors are going to be killers [I can start to feel I will not be able to get it all X.X]

I like seeing the Aces and the Pips, definitely a recall back to the Standards. The courts, kind of a mixed feelings, though that's just me probably - maybe it's because this is the first time Kevin tried to do standardize courts.

[NativeTongue]

Really looking forward to this one

[EndersGame]

I like seeing the Aces and the Pips, definitely a recall back to the Standards.

Here's a side-by-side comparison of some of the cards between STANDARDS and The Successor, where this vibe is strongest.
● Left hand side: STANDARDS
● Right hand side: The Successor

[TheGentlemanWake]

Those are all OLD renders. Those colors on the backs are no longer like that. So it’s a bit of an unfair comparison. I posted the red back next to the blue one just a few days ago and it’s been changed significantly since that old picture was posted. In fact that old design doesn’t even have the rhino beetle and monogram.

Also the tuck case is very different as well.

[EndersGame]

Those are all OLD renders. Those colors on the backs are no longer like that. So it’s a bit of an unfair comparison

I hadn't seen the newest ones when I made this.

The face cards are a fair comparison though aren't they?

[TheGentlemanWake]

Those are all OLD renders. Those colors on the backs are no longer like that. So it’s a bit of an unfair comparison

I hadn't seen the newest ones when I made this.

The face cards are a fair comparison though aren't they?

Yes as I mentioned. You aren’t sleuthing a deep mystery here. Lol. These are two decks done by the same artist with similar motifs (modern royalty vs. lines of succession). Stylistically there are call backs. Just as pretty much every single thirdway industries deck has had to every other third way industries deck. If this were one artist copying another artist it’d be one thing. But this is an artist iterating on their own work. How many paitings of water Lillie’s did Monet paint? Vermeer used the same room as the background for every painting for a period of a decade.


Also the background color of the cards has been changed so that one deck has stark white and the other eggshell. The ace of clubs and ace of hearts have been inverted in the new decks. And again. One is USPCC with no foil. The other is b9 linen with cold foil. The end products will be very different. Despite any stylistic similarities. I honestly think you made your point before posting your composite and to be honest it will likely confuse people and do more harm than good considering things have been changed pretty significantly since those old pictures were referenced.

[vasta41]

Is there a hard launch date for this yet? Don't wanna miss it!

[wingedpotato]

The number cards in Standards were my favorite part, and I like them even better in Successor. I wish more decks found ways to make the number cards more interesting. I wonder if the objection/complaint is more that the same artist is doing something similar for 2 different companies (like he's trying to do less design work on spec?). Many people have leveled complaints about Thirdway copying itself too much but not enough for Gio's decks to stop selling like hotcakes.

[EndersGame]

I wonder if the objection/complaint is more that the same artist is doing something similar for 2 different companies (like he's trying to do less design work on spec?).

For me it's not an objection/complaint, but just an observation. I love this design style.

[TheGentlemanWake]

The number cards in Standards were my favorite part, and I like them even better in Successor. I wish more decks found ways to make the number cards more interesting. I wonder if the objection/complaint is more that the same artist is doing something similar for 2 different companies (like he's trying to do less design work on spec?). Many people have leveled complaints about Thirdway copying itself too much but not enough for Gio's decks to stop selling like hotcakes.

Ultimately There’s only so much that can be done with spot cards. You can go with a standard layout. Maybe vary the sizes of the pips. Add embellishments here and there. In the end they are what they are (unless you’re doing a transformation deck). But it’s not like Kevin skimped on work. The shapes of the pips are all different. There are no shared elements throughout the design. Only thing shared is a rough estimation of the layout. Not much you can do with layout on aces. I really don’t see any similarities on the backs outside of color choices. Which admittedly were the same on the earliest drafts I received. Obviously my feedback curtailed that and we’ve now arrived at colors which are vibrant. My number one complete of standards and most T11 decks is a lack of vibrancy. The other notable advantage successor will have over standards is when those details on the spot cards get treated in cold foil they will pop much better than the standards decks ever did.

[TheGentlemanWake]

Is there a hard launch date for this yet? Don't wanna miss it!

Not yet. Aiming for May 1st. But I still need the prototypes.

[TheGentlemanWake]

Couple of notes:

TENTATIVELY launching May 3rd at 12pm Noon Eastern.

The number of Prototypes I will have has decreased. It was my mistake. Initially I thought Cartamundi would be printing 30. Turns out its only 20. So I've had to adjust the top tier with the signed prototypes. Only 20 will be available. Sorry about that!



As I get closer to the launch Im getting the massive dread of doubt that usually washes over me. Is it good enough? Did I get it right? Is it too ambitious? Is the market sustainable? Ugh. It's pretty nerve wracking. Been seeing a lot of campaigns have lackluster outings lately. I know it isn't all of ks tho. Some MASSIVE campaigns in other niches.

[laitostarr777]

It’s alright campaign, at least this time you outline it first before making the surprise reveal mid-campaign (if there is one, hoping to be like that Wylenti edition in Tempest) [and also TMI, another series that I without shame have to say, won’t be able to get them all]

I am just praying there won’t be another big campaign clashing up with yours haha

[GandalfPC]

I think the current Galactic Paradise campaign is a cautionary tale - just too many deck variations - prices aren’t ridiculous, extra items don’t abound (perhaps there should have been some instead of some decks) - in any case I’m pretty sure it falls into a ‘lack of focus” or “too ambitious” category of lessons…

Could have had three decks or so and a lessor goal and moved on to the next campaign for more of the decks later - sustainable size idea - rather than try to go big or go home

[TheGentlemanWake]

I think the current Galactic Paradise campaign is a cautionary tale - just too many deck variations - prices aren’t ridiculous, extra items don’t abound (perhaps there should have been some instead of some decks) - in any case I’m pretty sure it falls into a ‘lack of focus” or “too ambitious” category of lessons…

Could have had three decks or so and a lessor goal and moved on to the next campaign for more of the decks later - sustainable size idea - rather than try to go big or go home

Perhaps. Definitely can see the lack of focus. The campaign page is a mess too. Overwhelming and yet somehow shows too little. The biggest issue I see is a design that falls in the “modern” category. It’s a Fontaine or anyone worldwide clone. I just think there isn’t very much interest in those kind of decks as there used to be. People used to spend speculatively on new deck brands in the hopes they’d become Fontaine or anyone. But those brands are Lightning in a bottle and the lightning is starting to fade.

Still I see your point. But tempest and Parlour taught me some lessons. Collectors love variation and unique editions when the design speaks to them.

Still $100 per backer is a nice amount. Problem is they have low backer count. I think this is a design issue rather than a too much in the menu problem.

[TheGentlemanWake]

Sarcophagus prototypes v2.
The Successor Sarcophagi in this picture are coming along nicely. Still a few more changes to be made. But the box is looking much sleeker and much more inline with my vision. I had the manufacturer add magnets to hold the lid in place as well as thumb grooves along the sides to make lifting the lid easier. The metal foil inlays along the sides are still not 100% color matched to the lid. Something I’ve been told is achievable with a mass production order so this will be addressed on the final order. The lacquer coating has been thickened and smoothed overtop the metal foil. I’m also waiting on a new lid plate. The old lid plate had some empty areas of flat shiny gold that would be prone to scratching and scuffs and frankly that bothered me. So I took the added expense of remaking a mold for the back plate where the King will rest on to include some filigree and ornamental scrollwork that will eliminate this problem while also offering the design more balance.

Revised Plate.jpg (212.9 KiB) Viewed 2595 times

[Eric Lee]

Seeing this, I'm very glad I'm married and have a voice of reason to rein my inner geek. One that tells me my wife will do unpleasant things, such as destroy my card collect, resort to bodily hard in an attempt to knock sense in me or divorce ; if I went in for the box set! [MURRAY]

On a more serious note, I personally preferred the empty space at the bottom of the original lid. Currently the design reminds me of a male version of Sleeping Beauty, as the new design makes it look like there are plants surrounding the figure.

Too late now, but I do wonder if instead of the empty space which is prone to scratching, could it have been replaced with matching design pattern on the empty space instead of a raised design?

Ah well, at any rate, this is an extremely beautiful set and a deserving centerpiece of any collection for those who get it. Sure to knock the wannabes from the recent extravagant boxed sets we've been seeing on KS of the pedestal. The real Successor one might say. Hail to the King, baby!

[TheGentlemanWake]

Seeing this, I'm very glad I'm married and have a voice of reason to rein my inner geek. One that tells me my wife will do unpleasant things, such as destroy my card collect, resort to bodily hard in an attempt to knock sense in me or divorce ; if I went in for the box set! [MURRAY]

On a more serious note, I personally preferred the empty space at the bottom of the original lid. Currently the design reminds me of a male version of Sleeping Beauty, as the new design makes it look like there are plants surrounding the figure.

Too late now, but I do wonder if instead of the empty space which is prone to scratching, could it have been replaced with matching design pattern on the empty space instead of a raised design?

Ah well, at any rate, this is an extremely beautiful set and a deserving centerpiece of any collection for those who get it. Sure to knock the wannabes from the recent extravagant boxed sets we've been seeing on KS of the pedestal. The real Successor one might say. Hail to the King, baby!

Well, i think the balance feels off in person. You'd have to trust my eye. I will say that a dead monarch would probably be laid to rest on a bed of wreaths and laurels. So to that end it makes sense that there would be vegetation surrounding his entire form when laid to rest.

[Harvonsgard]

Great improvement. The bottoms of the columns, with the empty squares, looks still a bit odd to me but not a big deal regrding the overall design.

[Strag]

Kinda glad I don't like the "lid" as that sort of gold look just isn't my thing. If the lid was more like the sides I'd almost certainly be in.

Pretty sure these will sell out quickly in any case