NOW LIVE: Vanda Centurion Club + Centurio Deck

[davegk]

Greetings and happy new year!

I'm excited to announce the first Vanda project of the year will be launching soon...and this is gonna be very exciting!

I've been working with a new featured artist of the Vanda Artists Series, Victor Kevruh. Check out some of his amazing work here: https://www.instagram.com/victorkevruh/

And now let me introduce the Vanda Centurion Club...
Vanda Centurion Club will be limited to only 100 members. Membership signup will be offered by way of a limited tier during the Kickstarter project that will open before the end of this month (January 2020). Each member will be assigned a member/serial number (between 1-100) and these numbers will be assigned based on backing order (3rd backer will get serial #3, 99th backer will get serial #99, etc). There will most likely be a special tier for serial #1 (and maybe one for #2). The tuckboxes for serials #1-100 will be different from the rest of the batch (more details later). Centurion Club membership will include an exclusive custom set box that will hold the complete set of decks offered in the series.

And now the decks...
The Centurion Club series decks will be based on ancient civilizations, the first of which is themed on Ancient Rome and titled "Centurio". We are still working out details of how many total decks will be included in the series and at the moment I expect to launch a new deck either quarterly or semi-annually. A few images attached to give you an idea of what to expect...

Launch date/time is still TBD but will be announced in advance of the campaign through the Vanda email list (sign up at vandacards.com).

[Harvonsgard]

S.P.Q.R. intensifies

Interesting ideas and concept. I certainly don't like commiting to such subscription models and KWP proofed me personally right to pass on such things but best of success with this endeavour.

[davegk]

I wouldn't necessarily consider this a "subscription" model...I think as a club member you'll have the option to buy each of the decks in the series but can you pass on any, in which case your serial number for that will be available for someone else, probably through auction

I will also point out that you don't have to be a club member to still purchase the decks. Anyone can purchase serial numbers #101+...but only members will receive serials 1-100 in the special tuckbox and the complete set outer packaging...and likely a few other bonus items

[Harvonsgard]

Thanks for the clarification. That is of course very nice to have the option to pass on stuff one doesn't like.

[vasta41]

I like what I see so far! Great artwork. Any word on the printer?

[STLBluesNut]

I would need to see the differences in the 1-100 tuck and the 100+ tuck as I could care less about serial numbers. High number, low number, matching, not matching, absolutely no f@#ks given. I would only join this if the tucks design or features for the special edition were worth it. The option to pass on any decks is nice as well. Otherwise, buy each deck that I like that comes out is fine with me.

Sent from my S10+ using Tapatalk

[hsbc]

I too am intrigued, but I'd need to see the fancy tucks and everything else

[CollectADeck]

I'm definitely intrigued!

[rousselle]

Who will be manufacturing the cards?

[irtjames14]

I'm definitely intrigued as well, looking forward to this!

[Azazaaz]

I'm also waiting for more details, this sounds promising!

[portcullis]

Colour me interested

[BaconWise]

Per Dave's Instagram, we will see this launch on Thursday. No word yet on the time:

Vanda.jpg (123.08 KiB) Viewed 10122 times

[Harvonsgard]

Per Dave's Instagram, we will see this launch on Thursday. No word yet on the time:

Vanda.jpg

Urgh ... bright mode user detected...

[davegk]

Cards will be printed by USPC, tuckboxes by GW.

Here's the tuckbox proof that just arrived...the black will be the standard edition and the white will be the club member limited edition. The foil colors might change a little on the white box but it will look at least this good

[Harvonsgard]

Looks very nice.

[RichK]

I like the black tuck better than "club member" white.

[vasta41]

At around 2PM EST I received an email from Vanda saying the campaign will launch in 24 hours. So perhaps a 2PM EST launch time tomorrow?

[STLBluesNut]

Both tucks look pretty damn nice!

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[davegk]

Yes, official launch time is 11am PST on Thursday, Jan 30th (approximately 22.5 hours from this post time).

A few more details about the Vanda Centurion Club...

To sign up, simply back the member tier of the Kickstarter. There will be 99 member spots + 1 special member spot for member/serial #0001.

Membership tier will be $169 and includes:
- 1x Limited Edition Centurio Deck (#0001-0100)
- 1x Limited Edition Centurio Proof Deck (#0000)
- 2x Standard Edition Centurio Decks
- 1x set box to hold the complete series of 10 ancient civilization decks
- Exclusive VC coin with member # on it
- Special pricing on additional Standard Edition decks in the series
- Special discount on other products at vandacards.com

Notes:
- As a member you will have the ability to opt out of any future decks in the series if you choose to do so (and your LE decks will be sold via auction to other Vanda fans)
- Shipping cost is not included and will be billed separately closer to time of fulfillment
- Your member number will be assigned based on kickstarter backing order (sooner to back = lower member number)
- Your serial # for all LE decks in the series will match your member #
- Release schedule for following decks in series in not set yet but I'm hoping to release quarterly (but may be less frequent...probably not more frequent)

I'm happy to answer any other questions you have.

Thanks,
David

[chicken_ql]

Hmm that's 4 decks for 170$. Quite expensive. Does this cover shipping? Also are there differences besides the tuck between the white and the red deck?

[BaconWise]

Hmm that's 4 decks for 170$. Quite expensive. Does this cover shipping? Also are there differences besides the tuck between the white and the red deck?

From what I understand, the high up-front cost would be considered the membership fee for the most part. I would imagine the next membership deck that's released would be $30-$50 (no idea) so the initial buy-in would include $60-$80 for the decks (if you assume maybe $15 for the standard), the set box, and a coin. Not too bad, assuming the (approximately $80-$100) membership fee is a one-time thing for the duration of the series.

EDIT: If it is more of a tuck swap, rather than more features for the membership deck, perhaps we would see $20 for future deck releases, and maybe the one-time membership is closer to $120 or so? Very curious to see if there is a difference aside from color scheme.

[Decknowledgy]

What's up with this obsession to incorporate the Vanda membership/subscription system with the KS project? This had been done since the Cardistry Club project and flopped several times, and now this project's doing it all over again?

[davegk]

To clarify a few things...

First of all, this isn't a subscription...it's really more aligned with how The Planets campaign was run. It's a series of decks with standard and limited editions. The limited edition is limited to only 100 decks though and as a bonus for getting the limited edition you also get a coin and a set box and first priority to pick up every limited deck in the series (with the same serial number).

It's true that the cost for this initial deck in the series will be higher because in addition to the decks you're paying for the box and the coin and the membership slot. The following decks will be less expensive due to those factors plus we may be able to set it up so you can make payments directly for the following decks and not have to use kickstarter (which saves on some fees and logistics).

As much as I would like to create unique cards for the LE decks, it doesn't really work due to the very small run (~200 decks between the serials and the proof decks)...so we'd have to either go with MPC or make the project more complicated by figuring out what to do with the other 800 or so decks required to meet USPC minimum order. The Planets used same cards inside the tucks and I think it's fine since I don't expect club members will want to break seals to open the LE decks anyway.

Thanks,
David

[davegk]

Also, here's a member coin mockup from the coin manufacturer... it would be 2"x1.75" in size

[Decknowledgy]

All this is very confusing to me, as the fees of the VANDA membership is collected through KICKSTARTER, so how will backers of this tier verify that their membership has gone through when it's not directly through Vanda's site? Before anyone reads any further, keep in mind that Kickstarter is not attached to any guaranteed credit/debit service like PayPal.

Membership tier will be $169 and includes:
- 1x Limited Edition Centurio Deck (#0001-0100)
- 1x Limited Edition Centurio Proof Deck (#0000)
- 2x Standard Edition Centurio Decks
- 1x set box to hold the complete series of 10 ancient civilization decks
- Exclusive VC coin with member # on it
- Special pricing on additional Standard Edition decks in the series
　　--> do you mean during this campaign or during the aftermarket sales on Vanda's site?
- Special discount on other products at vandacards.com

Notes:
- As a member you will have the ability to opt out of any future decks in the series if you choose to do so (and your LE decks will be sold via auction to other Vanda fans)
　　--> if a member of this tier decides to opt out of your membership, how will you refund the member if the fees were pre-collected through Kickstarter and not your site? Besides, you did not specify how to continue with this membership: is it a one-time charge through this Kickstarter tier? Or will it continue through payment on Vanda's site? How can backers of this tier be sure that their membership fees has been transferred clearly to their Vanda membership?
- Shipping cost is not included and will be billed separately closer to time of fulfillment
　　--> this to me sound exactly that the Membership Tier of this campaign has collected 100% of the Vanda membership fees, and the members awill just pay for additional shipping for future releases. This is why the whole Vanda-membership-by-Kickstarter scheme sounds like a totally unreliable way to gain membership for an external website
- Your member number will be assigned based on kickstarter backing order (sooner to back = lower member number)
- Your serial # for all LE decks in the series will match your member #
- Release schedule for following decks in series in not set yet but I'm hoping to release quarterly (but may be less frequent...probably not more frequent)
　　--> this does not sound guaranteed at all. What if you can't deliver? Again, the membership payment NOT directly through your website will cause major problems when members from this campaign decides to drop later in the future due to your scheme to receive payment through Kickstarter.

Unless you or someone can answer these questions, or else people should really steer clear from this option.

[shermjack]

I think the 169 fee only applies to the decks listed in the tier and all future decks will incur another fee for each deck, so the fees collected in the KS campaign is only for the first deck.

[kem-collector]

I think the 169 fee only applies to the decks listed in the tier and all future decks will incur another fee for each deck, so the fees collected in the KS campaign is only for the first deck.

That's how I read it. First 100 who sign up for the $169 will get the first LE deck, a standard deck, a coin and the special case to hold the eventual entire set. Then your name goes on a list. When a new LE deck comes out in the set, you will be contacted (possibly via a means other than KS) and offered LE deck #2 (or whatever deck they are on). If you want it, you buy it since you are guaranteed a LE deck. If you don't then your slot goes up for auction/sale - maybe on the next KS campaign?

What will most likely keep me from even considering this would be feeling pressured to sign up for a high-cost reservation that will/may go on for a good length of time and there being no detailed information anywhere. Oh, and you have to do it fast to be in that first 100. With so many good decks coming out with outstanding options, these bigger ticket items are hard to choose from. This one is a bit too much of an unknown for me.

[Decknowledgy]

I think the 169 fee only applies to the decks listed in the tier and all future decks will incur another fee for each deck, so the fees collected in the KS campaign is only for the first deck.

That's how I read it. First 100 who sign up for the $169 will get the first LE deck, a standard deck, a coin and the special case to hold the eventual entire set. Then your name goes on a list. When a new LE deck comes out in the set, you will be contacted (possibly via a means other than KS) and offered LE deck #2 (or whatever deck they are on). If you want it, you buy it since you are guaranteed a LE deck. If you don't then your slot goes up for auction/sale - maybe on the next KS campaign?

What will most likely keep me from even considering this would be feeling pressured to sign up for a high-cost reservation that will/may go on for a good length of time and there being no detailed information anywhere. Oh, and you have to do it fast to be in that first 100. With so many good decks coming out with outstanding options, these bigger ticket items are hard to choose from. This one is a bit too much of an unknown for me.

After reading both your comments, I think I could finally understand how this works... that clears my overcomplicated thinking about the financial risks between bridging KS and Vanda's site.

Yet, As you've said though in your last paragraph, there is little to no guarantee when the next project will drop and whether it would be created by the same creator, not to mention that each project is backing sequence sensitive. That is, if anyone wants this membership tier, they'll have to back the same tier for the next, and the next, and the next..... and before the limited slots sell out. There's just too many loopholes for me to be interested in this scheme.

[kem-collector]

That is, if anyone wants this membership tier, they'll have to back the same tier for the next, and the next, and the next..... and before the limited slots sell out.

The way I imagine it is that you will only see subsequent LE tiers available on the additional KS campaigns only if someone drops out. Say I pick up an LE tier for deck 1, agree to buy deck 2 and 3 and I get run over by the mail carrier running out to get the newly arrived LE deck #3. I can no longer purchase deck 4, so that one is offered - sounds like it will be offered on the deck 4 KS campaign?

I understand it...and if you are a huge Vanda fan it is most likely up your alley. I just don't like roping myself into a long-range plan I know too little about. I also wonder how well slots would sell if someone drops out. Say it is a 10 deck collection and after deck #3 runs me over in the driveway, you pick it up. You get decks 4-10 (all same number) but you will most likely never get decks 1-3 of the same number. Sounds too much like a long haul marriage to be.