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Evilgamer wrote: ↑Tue Sep 26, 2023 12:42 pm $70k and climbing these guys definitely have a following.

I think Im going to stay out of asian style decks, but I wish them luck.

Following like blind sheeps following, with deep pockets

Series followers don't have a choice, and it's the last one. Unlike other infinite series

I do like the tucks, but the cards not enough to ring the bell

Disenchanted_11 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 26, 2023 8:12 pm Series followers don't have a choice, and it's the last one. Unlike other infinite series

being a completionism can definitely be ...a lot of words

me looking at TGW decks..hmm I can complete a set of the same decks,

me looking at TWI. oh how many sets does he ....have(still scrolling).....and how many.....mother of god....

GandalfPC wrote: ↑Tue Sep 26, 2023 8:28 pm I do like the tucks, but the cards not enough to ring the bell

this has been my thoughts on pretty much all of their decks. the tucks are great but the cards just tend to look muddy, blurry or messy. add to that having to buy box sets and im not buying.

That’s what I keep telling them ARK: some people are turned off because the MUST to buy decks as a set in a bulky box (same goes with the recent TCC release of Spar Playing Cards).

Yet somehow they just brushed it because, deep pockets keep encouraging them to continue doing them.
Think this is the problem with any brands - if there are people blindly place their soul in something, they will keep continue doing what that which drives others away
People keep buying the gilded decks (am looking at you, CM and RS), then they keep gilded the F out of the decks
People keep buying the “artist proofs” for $52 (am looking at you, “OG designer”, then the entitled guy would keep on doing sh**y things and gets away with it
And the list can go on

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cxutrkto ... BiNWFlZA==

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxtOVP1I ... BiNWFlZA==

laitostarr777 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 27, 2023 8:44 am That’s what I keep telling them ARK: some people are turned off because the MUST to buy decks as a set in a bulky box (same goes with the recent TCC release of Spar Playing Cards).

Yet somehow they just brushed it because, deep pockets keep encouraging them to continue doing them.
Think this is the problem with any brands - if there are people blindly place their soul in something, they will keep continue doing what that which drives others away
People keep buying the gilded decks (am looking at you, CM and RS), then they keep gilded the F out of the decks
People keep buying the “artist proofs” for $52 (am looking at you, “OG designer”, then the entitled guy would keep on doing sh**y things and gets away with it
And the list can go on

None of those practices are bad as long as they offer a standard cheaper version.

TGW's The Goldsmith already learned from that mistake.

Disenchanted_11 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 28, 2023 7:06 pm

laitostarr777 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 27, 2023 8:44 am That’s what I keep telling them ARK: some people are turned off because the MUST to buy decks as a set in a bulky box (same goes with the recent TCC release of Spar Playing Cards).

Yet somehow they just brushed it because, deep pockets keep encouraging them to continue doing them.
Think this is the problem with any brands - if there are people blindly place their soul in something, they will keep continue doing what that which drives others away
People keep buying the gilded decks (am looking at you, CM and RS), then they keep gilded the F out of the decks
People keep buying the “artist proofs” for $52 (am looking at you, “OG designer”, then the entitled guy would keep on doing sh**y things and gets away with it
And the list can go on

None of those practices are bad as long as they offer a standard cheaper version.

TGW's The Goldsmith already learned from that mistake.

Rubbish on that, I don't want the cheaper version. I want the better ones (foiled for sure, maybe gilded....)

and I dont want to buy a box or coin (and yes I know goldsmith has both) to get it.

I dont really want to buy the "standard" deck either just to get it.

Now I don't view either of the goldsmith decks as being a "standard" deck they are more variants of each other and Omar has said that the box doesnt really drive the price up (hasn't mentioned the coin?). If anything I fault the goldsmith decks for NOT being that different from each other to the point I wouldn't have bought both if given the choice (at that price certainly)

I have already actively avoided campaigns because they did their best decks this way, and this campaign is definitely one of them.

Evilgamer wrote: ↑Thu Sep 28, 2023 7:25 pm Rubbish on that, I don't want the cheaper version. I want the better ones (foiled for sure, maybe gilded....)

and I dont want to buy a box or coin (and yes I know goldsmith has both) to get it.

I dont really want to buy the "standard" deck either just to get it.

Now I don't view either of the goldsmith decks as being a "standard" deck they are more variants of each other and Omar has said that the box doesnt really drive the price up (hasn't mentioned the coin?). If anything I fault the goldsmith decks for NOT being that different from each other to the point I wouldn't have bought both if given the choice (at that price certainly)

I have already actively avoided campaigns because they did their best decks this way, and this campaign is definitely one of them.

Ehhh, I don't understand what's the argument here? Laito said producers keep putting up expensive sets/variants for people with deep pockets, I said that's okay as long as there's a cheaper option for the average people??

Disenchanted_11 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 29, 2023 12:37 am

Evilgamer wrote: ↑Thu Sep 28, 2023 7:25 pm Rubbish on that, I don't want the cheaper version. I want the better ones (foiled for sure, maybe gilded....)

and I dont want to buy a box or coin (and yes I know goldsmith has both) to get it.

I dont really want to buy the "standard" deck either just to get it.

Now I don't view either of the goldsmith decks as being a "standard" deck they are more variants of each other and Omar has said that the box doesnt really drive the price up (hasn't mentioned the coin?). If anything I fault the goldsmith decks for NOT being that different from each other to the point I wouldn't have bought both if given the choice (at that price certainly)

I have already actively avoided campaigns because they did their best decks this way, and this campaign is definitely one of them.

Ehhh, I don't understand what's the argument here? Laito said producers keep putting up expensive sets/variants for people with deep pockets, I said that's okay as long as there's a cheaper option for the average people??

It could be interpreted a few ways yes. ARK is putting even their cheap variants in a box set...not sure I would blink if those were the cards I wanted but its a $51 buy-in, not <$20 like a lot of campaigns.

But there is no way that the deck makes up the majority of the price for their big wooden box version or even the frame version (which is cheaper but you have to buy something else first).

My arguement is mainly refer to HOW they keep forcing the sets. Even the cheaper sets INSISTS you to get them decks in a set box. For storage freaks, set boxes means theyre gotta take space, hence why some are prefer to JUST get the decks. Also.. some collectors prefer certain edition and color - a set containing red and blue foil for example, and you are just loving the blue one. But sadly, it’s sold as set, so whether you like it or not, you are FORCED to get the set box and the red FOR the blue.

I will keep on giving this feedback to them, and to other brand as well, UNTIL they finally do it lol. I will keep fighting for the minorities of the collectors XD

Like for this Four Beasts series for example. ARK could produce a single deck, the very standard one, and without those fancy display box, so maybe the minorities can feel accomplished to collect all four just by getting this standard single. BUT they decided not too… because deep pockets people KEEP getting them sets and hence ARK keeps producing stuffs as sets

If not artistic vision (which ARK goes way over the top), maybe it ultimately boils down to some kind of pricing situation. They can sell it on the lowest price point possible but you'd have to buy the set and spend a certain price (like how discounts work with a minimum spend). Like TGW explained, his $95 boxset would need to cost $45 per deck if sold separately, without the box and coin.

Also you made TCC as example, but they do release individual decks like the Fashion KS.

At the end of the day they only do what works for the art and business. If a 2-deck standard boxset is the lowest they can afford to offer, and it's not for you, then not much else can be done. If it comes to a point that they need to offer 1-deck for it to work, I'm sure they will do it.

Like the Azure dragon more for sure. whether the design / the colors

I did a bit of a write-up that gives an overview of the entire project. Apologies for some pictures that have already appeared in this thread, but I figured that there might be some folks out there still considering this, and that an overview of the main box sets might be helpful.

White Tiger Playing Cards by ARK Playing Cards (Kickstarter)

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

Current funding level: already funded
Kickstarter ends: Tuesday, October 17, 2023



When it comes to quality and innovation, especially for exotic tuck box designs and lavish packaging for their playing cards, ARK Playing Cards is one of the very best in the very business. They've now produced over half a dozen playing card projects, several of which are in the top most-funded decks of playing cards of all time. And the reason for this success isn't hard to figure out once you've seen some of their decks in person.

Their current project is called White Tiger Playing Cards, and is the final release in a series of four sets, each of which is a tribute to the four divine beasts of Chinese Mythology. Previous entries in this series include Azure Dragon (representing wood), Vermilion Bird (representing fire), and Black Tortoise (representing water), some of which are also available as add-ons with the current project.

Like ARK's previous decks inspired by the Four Beasts, the tuck box (shown above) is a real highlight, with a design that relies on intricate paper-cuts with multiple layers, with a 3D effect.

As for the cards themselves, the Aces feature vines and patterns with styles and colours that match the individual suit designs on the number cards.





The court cards feature military characters carrying traditional Chinese weapons, unique for each suit: Spades (Spear, Lance, Sword), Diamonds (Halberd, Bow, Axe), Clubs (Warhammer, Glaive, Trident),Hearts (Dagger-axe, Dual Swords, Crescent Blade).





As with previous sets that comprise the The Four Beasts series, The White Tiger is being produced in four different box sets, each with different levels and styles of luxury packaging:
● Classic Boxset (limited edition of 1000): black deck & white deck (US$50)
● Black Gold Boxset (limited edition of 500): gold deck & silver deck (US$75)
● Deluxe Beech Boxset (limited edition of 300): violet deck with holo foil & gilded edges, plus a collectible coin (US$185)
● Luxury Frame Boxset (limited edition of 600): coffee deck with holo foil (US$75)



Collectors will appreciate that each of these limited editions are individually numbered.
The opening design of the Classic Boxset and the Black gold Boxset is especially worthy of note, because when these boxes are opened, a built-in mechanism raises the decks to highlight their presentation. While those each come with two decks, the Deluxe Beech Boxset and the Luxury Frame Boxset both come with a single deck, but with an exquisite presentation that beautifully showcases the tuck box and gives it the extravagant and gorgeous setting it deserves.

Other optional add-ons include a silver Tiger coin, uncut sheets, and some decks from previous entries in the series: Vermillion Bird and Black Tortoise.

1. Classic Boxset

Here's some images showing the Classic Boxset, which comes with a black deck and a white deck (the white deck is already pictured above):













2. Black Gold Boxset

Here's some images showing the Black Gold Boxset, which comes with a gold deck and a silver deck:













3. Deluxe Beech Boxset

Here's some images showing the Deluxe Beech Boxset, which comes with a violet deck with holo foil and gilded edges:











This set also includes a collectible coin.



4. Luxury Frame Boxset

Here's some images showing the Luxury Frame Boxset, which comes with a coffee deck with holo foil:













As with all the decks from ARK, words and pictures really can't do justice to the looks and quality, but check the project page for more images.

Kickstarter link

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

The price for Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise wooden box sets was $149. To then jump to $185 is pretty significant. A 20% increase in one year.

I cannot see how this beech box does anything to compliment these decks in any shape or form