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Hey everyone,

I wanted to announce that I'm gearing up to launch another Kickstarter project. After such a positive response to my first deck, Steampunk Cthulhu Bicycle cards, I'm working on a companion/sequel deck called 'Steampunk Cthulhu: PIRATES Bicycle deck.

This will have a shared design scheme with complimenting color schemes, but all new and original art/illustrations. I'm not sure how common it is to do a 'set' of decks, but it's quite common in the video game and book world I'm coming from. Here's an example of the card back, and I'll post more and announce a launch date soon.

As I've done with previous decks, I will have a certain amount set at only $6 on launch day.

That is looking rather nice!

As much as I like consistent themes, I usually don't mind the combination of two themes even if they don't really have anything to do with each other. But combining 3 themes that doesn't have any connection? That's way too far fetched for my taste.

Nice artwork. I wish the project success but the presence of skulls makes this a no go for me.

Is there some sort of combination limit I'm unaware of? j/k, it's all about cool art and making a unique deck for me. The reason for the 3 theme combo was that I wanted to keep the title "Steampunk Cthulhu" in the deck, but add another twist to it. If you can't handle it, I understand.

Still, I think it will be a really nice looking deck!

hapaninja wrote:it's all about cool art and making a unique deck for me

And that's the most important thing. You just can't please everybody

It's true! I have been a bit torn as to whether or I should just go with "Steampunk Pirates" instead. Your feedback is appreciated, and I've actually been concerned that it's just too much in all honesty. You think simplifying it would be a better move?

hapaninja wrote:It's true! I have been a bit torn as to whether or I should just go with "Steampunk Pirates" instead. Your feedback is appreciated, and I've actually been concerned that it's just too much in all honesty. You think simplifying it would be a better move?

Whether I think so or not is irrelevant. The only way to get useful information would be to ask as many of your potential customers as possible. For this forum you could make a poll.

Steampunk Pirates would be a better title. I'll be checking this deck out in the future.

Cthulhu is just a Kraken that can fly. Steampunk pirates would be in airships. It all makes sense now.

I personally, am tired of Cthulu. He's a pretty esoteric subject.
Keeping it to Pirates and Steam Punk will have a broader appeal, and that can only help your campaign.

Thank you all for your feedback, I REALLY value the opinion of this forum. Though I am an outsider is most ways, I view you all as a real voice of the card community! I will seriously consider the advice I receive here as I work toward launch.

You could call it Steampunk Pirates, and focus on them, but have a few things here and there in the art (like the tentacles on the skull of the captain's hat) that give a slight cthulhu-esque or kraken nod...

Awesome idea samurai007! I really like that take on it.

I agree, leave the Cthulhu Mythos out of this theme...it is just too much mashed up.

I like samurai007's suggestion as well.

Done right, it would suggest that there is a Cthulu aspect in the universe being depicted, but is only sometimes felt and isn't a central feature of the particular culture being depicted. They're pirates and the tech level is steampunk. Main focus.

It all sounds very China Mieville.

Casual Pixels wrote:It all sounds very China Mieville.

Oooh yeah - we need a Bas-Lag themed deck!

Bro.

Zombie Steampunk Cthulhu Pirate Ninja Robot Samurais...woah.
That one's a freebie. Next great idea is gonna cost yah.


Seriously, count me in for Steampunk Pirates.

This deck would look awesome with foil and embossing.

Latest update

just a quick update to announce a couple of things. First off, I wanted to let you all know that I will be launching the Kickstarter campaign for the Steampunk Pirates Bicycle Deck on Sunday September 22nd at 2:30pm

I'm going to launching on air with LiveSpeak Radio, who interviewed me a few weeks ago. I thought it would be fun to make a little event of it, and share the experience with their listeners. As usual there will be some very cheap early backer specials, like a deck of cards for $6 w/US shipping included.

A pic








CBJ

I think it's odd to have that guy on all of the card backs, he should be just a court card.

Bikefanatic wrote:I think it's odd to have that guy on all of the card backs, he should be just a court card.

I agree. Odd indeed.

Bikefanatic wrote:I think it's odd to have that guy on all of the card backs, he should be just a court card.

Agreed. The backs should include more general pirate imagery, not too character specific.
Something with a ship, or rudder wheel, or cannons, etc.

Hey everyone,

the reason I'm putting a character on the back is that it's what I've done with my past 2 decks as well. The last deck I suggested changing to a more "design" type back and my backer's were very adverse to the idea. The feedback I got was that, at least with my decks, people are looking for something that is different from the norm.

You guys are the card connoisseurs, so I understand where a more traditional approach might be more appealing to you!

But steampunk and pirates are away from the norm? The playing card market is really saturated with both of those types. How is steampunk away from the norm?

It's not the theme I'm referring to. I've built up a Steampunk loving audience, and it's something I love to draw, besides I have yet to see a Steampunk Pirate themed deck yet.

I was talking about the format. I have received a lot of feedback from the Kickstarter community that they like that the cards are different, and feature a character on the back instead of just a design.

The color scheme of the tuck looks wonderful, I don't have a deck with a back like that so I could look past it.

I guess I'll be the one to go against the flow here and say that I love the back. I understand how an actual person won't be for everyone, but this one works for me. Having a pirate ship or something of that nature would be a bit less interesting to me, because there are already a lot of decks out there with boats on the backs. Looking forward to adding this one to my collection.

charlie

Don't get me wrong. I'll be backing this either way. The concept and execution is too cool, but I do think that pirate belongs on the king of diamonds and not on the back design. Maybe if you make the additional detail around him stronger, so he doesn't look so much like a court card that's missing his indices... of course, that's just my opinion