Guru Ganjifa - Live on KS

[Jock1971]

I`m in

[jerichoholic]

These look like they will do real well lol

[Bruno]

Thus speaks the grandmaster of inadequacy, a failure in residence.

[jerichoholic]

No idea what you are talking about

[guru]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for putting it up here. Appreciate it.

I understand the general sense building up that the pricing is high along with a relatively high funding goal. Though, I've already answered it in the FAQs on the campaign page at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/su ... yrevisited, but still, I'll explain here once again.

It is really expensive to get such a deck of cards printed at leading printers, mainly because of the fact that it is not the regular shape and the cards are circular, and that too, with a high no. (130) of them in a deck. In addition to that, a booklet spanning 20 pages and a custom 2-part box adds to the cost. The first prototype I'd got printed was through Admagic Print & Play games when I was in US. These guys have worked on leading Kickstarter campaigns like Exploding Kittens, Cards against humanity and Joking Hazard. Next prototype of the cards was done through MPC (just the cards and not the booklet or the box). Feel free to look at their pricing page, and you'll know what I mean.

http://www.makeplayingcards.com/design/ ... decks.html

http://www.printplaygames.com/product/c ... -hex-cards

One of the leading printers expressed their inability to print it in US because of the round cards and another said that they can't do the booklet and have to get approvals in the Company. EPCC was the only one who came out and supported this deck, and till now, it has been great working with them. Some of the folks on Board Game Geek (BGG) suggested to go to certain Game manufacturing companies because as per them, no one looks at who printed the cards. But, it has been most important to me till now, because as Ganjifa was patronised by Royalty in 16th-17th Century, the cards used to be made of exotic materials like ivory, tortoise shell, mother-of-pearl, and precious metal etc. and some of the specimens are still available at the following places:

> Powis Castle in Wales (Made in ivory)
>The Bodleian Library, Oxford University
> British Museum
>The national playing cards museum of Germany, the 'Deutsches Spielkartenmuseum', in the town of Leinfelden
>Los Angeles County Museum of Art
> Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford University
> Collection of Rev. George Lewis, housed in the cabinet ( made of tortoise shell)

EPCC fitted the bill because they have a reputation of producing with highest quality standards and on great card stocks., through them, I feel it will be an ode to the legacy of Ganjifa cards.

I was told by a leading designer yesterday, who has done numerous Kickstarter campaigns till date, that how can I, an unknown and non-established player, think of starting with this type of campaign plus a high funding goal. I do understand her concern and thank her for being candid, but, is Kickstarter just for established designers and companies only with no chance given to newbies? May be, I could have gone small but is 25k USD, a very high funding goal really, for such a deck of Playing Cards?

In fact,I also found another Ganjifa project on Kickstarter, that was done by a US based Gaming company 3 years back, but going by the comments, almost all backers have rued about the quality of cards. Those wanting to see, feel free to check below:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ta ... ying-cards

I am still learning folks, and the campaign has just started. I would really appreciate if I get support from you. You may want to go through the campaign and let me know where can I improve and advice on promoting it .

I appreciate your help and constructive suggestions. Thank you for your time.

Regards,
Sunish

[Bruno]

Talk about a concept rich environment, phew ....
This project, in relation to the history of playing cards, needs recognising/advancing ....
I'm sure Sunish is up to the job, and sincerely, I hope he is successful !
Best !

[NCarter]

I do hope these go through, they would be a very unique addition to my collection.

I'm a bit concerned about the $35k goal being quite high especially for a fist time niche project, which is a shame seeing as Sunish has actually backed quite a lot of other kickstarters.

[guru]

I've posted prototype pics update on Kickstarter.

Please feel free to take a look and suggestions/feedback is welcome.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/su ... ts/1584601

Regards,
Sunish

[ecNate]

With that many cards in a circle shape I can understand the costs, but it really makes it a struggle for anybody to buy them unless they LOVE the concept for art or look at it as a game they will have repeat play value. I also don't have that culture in my background or am drawn to it either so I guess maybe I'm just not the target market, hopefully you are advertising this on Indian focused areas as well.

I do wonder if you offered a traditional poker deck with the art or even a slimmed down version of your circle deck if that would help reach the goal, but of course that would add complexity and probably additional costs.

It's a neat idea, but a tricky one due to the unique challenges. Good luck!

[guru]

With that many cards in a circle shape I can understand the costs, but it really makes it a struggle for anybody to buy them unless they LOVE the concept for art or look at it as a game they will have repeat play value. I also don't have that culture in my background or am drawn to it either so I guess maybe I'm just not the target market, hopefully you are advertising this on Indian focused areas as well.

I do wonder if you offered a traditional poker deck with the art or even a slimmed down version of your circle deck if that would help reach the goal, but of course that would add complexity and probably additional costs.

It's a neat idea, but a tricky one due to the unique challenges. Good luck!

Yes, I'm looking at all options at this stage whether to get a Poker deck going, but it still will have 130 cards. Someone did advise me to get 2 poker decks done out of it and/or offer the booklet as a stretch goal with a digital copy thrown in at lower tiers. 2 poker decks out of this is not possible. Another option is to use different printer services like LongPack (who did the latest prototype deck). The cost reduces drastically only if I go through them or other Board game publishers. There is another large deck going on in Kickstarter at the moment- Heckadeck by Travis Nichols. He is getting it done by QPC. I might check with them as well.

Appreciate your thoughtful comments, btw. Thank you.

[guru]

Hi All,

Thought of letting all know that I've been able to trim down the costs drastically even with the unique constraints of circular shape of cards and 130 of them per deck. I was also looking at getting the cards on the regular rectangle shape (poker sized) if the original design was still hindering cost reduction factor but now it is not the case.

Still, there is a lot of work that needs to be done in terms of game rules and may be, getting new games that can be played using such a set. The centuries old game that people used to play has already been translated from its original source but I believe it can be improved further.

Anyone with particular liking of trick taking card games who would like to help here, please send a PM.

Regards,
Sunish