The Elixir Playing Cards by Seasons Playing Cards

[KT52]

What time will this be released on Kickstarter on the 14th?

[portcullis]

I've set an alarm for 6pm to the east coast. I'm not sure what that "translates" to at your house.

[IAmTheChin]

What time will this be released on Kickstarter on the 14th?

It's at 5pm CST.
You can use a time zone converter but I found that a lot of people find it easiest to just join the FB event https://www.facebook.com/events/490105858099086/.
I literally made it because it sends out an automatic notification for that day and then also an hour before launch.

[Gonzalo]

What time will this be released on Kickstarter on the 14th?

It's at 5pm CST.
You can use a time zone converter but I found that a lot of people find it easiest to just join the FB event https://www.facebook.com/events/490105858099086/.
I literally made it because it sends out an automatic notification for that day and then also an hour before launch.

Not to be nitpicky, but I have a question:
Are you sure is CST? Is it possible that it could be CDT (Central Daylight Saving Time) instead? I mean, 5pm CST is 1am my time, while 5pm CDT is 12am my time.

As far as I know, CDT is the time currently observed in Chicago (amongst other places).

[4.of.Clubs]

What time will this be released on Kickstarter on the 14th?

It's at 5pm CST.
You can use a time zone converter but I found that a lot of people find it easiest to just join the FB event https://www.facebook.com/events/490105858099086/.
I literally made it because it sends out an automatic notification for that day and then also an hour before launch.

Not to be nitpicky, but I have a question:
Are you sure is CST? Is it possible that it could be CDT (Central Daylight Saving Time) instead? I mean, 5pm CST is 1am my time, while 5pm CDT is 12am my time.

As far as I know, CDT is the time currently observed in Chicago (amongst other places).

It's CDT, during daylight savings we kind of think of CST and CDT as the same thing (Texas and Chicago are the same time zone).

[badpete69]

Live




Edit EB cabinet already gone

[theCapraAegagrus]

Backer #23. I went for a B2 tier.

Love the 5th cabinet wood. I was wondering how it was going to stand out compared to the other 4 presentations. This is a fantastic close to the Apothecary series.

Thanks, Alex!

Edit: 220% funded in 10 minutes.

[Bradius]

I was a few minutes late. I just did a gasp and realized it had already started like 7 minutes ago. I get on and snag as fast as I can a B1 tier, only to realize there was an open EB for the same thing, but by the time I tried to grab it, it was gone in a flash. Wow. We new this was going to be a fast sale. No kidding.

[badpete69]

Damn Bradius if I had known i would have gotten you an EB

[Magic Tapp]

Amazing start to the campaign. Well done, Alex - the deck looks stunning.

[Bradius]

Thanks badpete69, but $11 more is no big penalty for missing the EB. Now missing out altogether would hurt. Still some B1 and B2 tiers available.

[Stevecru]

I guess it’s just me, but all the Season’s decks are starting to look alike to me.

[IAmTheChin]

I guess it’s just me, but all the Season’s decks are starting to look alike to me.

All the Apothecary decks purposefully used the same format since they're part of the same collection. (They just feel like different projects since it's been 2 years since the first one lol).

I promise you something a bit more refreshing for the upcoming NPCCD deck. Just needed to close this last one out

[KT52]

All the white elixirs are sold out now

[KT52]

I guess it’s just me, but all the Season’s decks are starting to look alike to me.

All the Apothecary decks purposefully used the same format since they're part of the same collection. (They just feel like different projects since it's been 2 years since the first one lol).

I promise you something a bit more refreshing for the upcoming NPCCD deck. Just needed to close this last one out

Its going to be hard to top your NPCCD decks last year but I believe in you! Can't wait!

[portcullis]

I DIDN'T SLEEP THROUGH THE ALARM I SET! "Collection of Cabinets Complete" *unlocks cheevo*

[guru]

The tuck is simply awesome and a delight to look at. Congrats Alex.

Btw, does anyone know what is Aristocrat stock and Magic finish from USPCC & how is it different from their Bee or Premium stock & the finish or embossing they offer? I am asking as I was not offered this stock and I also don't see it mentioned in their specs. I asked USPCC about it a few days back and still waiting for their reply.

I think I have read somewhere about it on this forum but not sure where. I will search for it as well, but in case any of you know, please do share your insights.

[Magic Tapp]

Sunish - I think you may be looking for this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=77&t=804" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[guru]

Sunish - I think you may be looking for this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=77&t=804" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks @Magic Tapp.

So, there is no mention of Aristocrat stock here and Magic finish is simply the default USPCC coating. I think this Aristocrat stock might be Bee or Premium stock offered by USPCC as Magic Orthodoxy also mentions it here at 1:54.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPU38sR ... u.be&t=114[/youtube]

[Bradius]

I got up this morning and noted that almost all of the options were sold out. It was at 666% of the goal amount!

[theCapraAegagrus]

I forgot that the original Apothecary set was gilded with Rose Gold and Silver. That makes 6 different materials for all 6 LE decks. Very cool.

Alex, can you give us any insight as to why there are only 188 cabinets this time around?

[Magic Tapp]

Sunish - I think that you are right. In that link I shared, they say that Bicycle or Bike is also known as Aristocrat. And Magic finish is their default but you can get a better finish if you are printing north of 15k decks.

That sub-part of the forum is actually quite useful when it comes to the description of various finishes and stock.

[IAmTheChin]

Aristocrat stock is their linen stock. I'm actually not going to use that term anymore I think they discontinued it. It was offered to me for the first Apothecary deck but when they switched out terms I just kept it for continuity sake.
The Magic finish though if I'm not mistaken isn't default. I'm paying extra for it.

Alex, can you give us any insight as to why there are only 188 cabinets this time around?

Admittedly this is me just being bad with numbers again. I was originally going to have 888 decks for the 8/8/18 launch and then 200 cabinets. But I miscalculated a few things and had to launch 848 decks for the black elixir. I also *thought I made extras of the white elixir but didn't. I had exactly 200 but then when I was packing them into the prototype boxes to send out I didn't think about that lol. So that's why there are only 188 offered now. I accidentally gave them away.

Also the campaign is literally out of tiers. I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do. It's a good thing but also bad in that it's a literal momentum killer since no one can interact with the project at all.
Any suggestions I can put up for vote in the update later today?

[theCapraAegagrus]

Alex, can you give us any insight as to why there are only 188 cabinets this time around?

Admittedly this is me just being bad with numbers again. I was originally going to have 888 decks for the 8/8/18 launch and then 200 cabinets. But I miscalculated a few things and had to launch 848 decks for the black elixir. I also *thought I made extras of the white elixir but didn't. I had exactly 200 but then when I was packing them into the prototype boxes to send out I didn't think about that lol. So that's why there are only 188 offered now. I accidentally gave them away.

Also the campaign is literally out of tiers. I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do. It's a good thing but also bad in that it's a literal momentum killer since no one can interact with the project at all.
Any suggestions I can put up for vote in the update later today?

Gotcha lol. I think it's kinda nice to have the last set slightly more limited than the others.

You should've done a 7-day campaign! I have no suggestions...

[Bradius]

You and Lotrek. Selling out in less than a day is a good thing for you. Your stuff has a strong demand on Kickstarter. For those of your loyal customers that missed it, it can be a frustrating thing. As a designer, you hate to get good repeat customers upset they missed out. Still, it is not like you haven't warned people this was going to be limited. And it was a bit of a madhouse those first few minutes. But, the rainbow gilded decks didn't sell our in seconds or even minutes. Most folks with reasonable access to the internet yesterday evening could get in on the deal. I get the feeling that most that bought your tiers are not resellers, but directly to collectors. A few will likely be on eBay for those that missed it, but for a higher premium for sure. As always, a few will drop out. I nearly snagged a Collectors tier when someone dropped early yesterday, but wasn't fast enough . Ah well.

As for ideas to keep momentum up. Without more decks, that limits your options for sure (unless you want to print more or something slightly different like mini-decks). I am not sure how current backers would react. I kinda am stretched far enough and probably wouldn't add more anyway. Some like coins or T-shirts. Some might like some extra cabinets. I have the first Apothecary series gilded decks and non-gilded decks, but no cabinets. Signed and numbered bands did well. A booklet could also be cool for the entire series. I think something like a booklet that ties the series up would be good. Those are my quick thoughts. Congrats Alex on a hugely successful series.

Now, I need to check under my couch for some coins to buy the 2018 NPCCD decks. I hope there aren't so many varieties this year. My 2017 Set is one of my favorites. I have it in my office now to look at and enjoy while I type this!

[Magic Tapp]

Alex - I agree with Bradius. Those who were interested in the decks had enough time to pledge for the decks. Granted, the EB tiers went rather quickly but non-EB ones were available for a reasonable amount of time.

Coins/card guards and a nice booklet about the whole series would be a good idea. The other thing may be a Carat case with a Seasons logo on - don't know though if the economics would work.

On an unrelated subject - do you know when you would be looking to launch your NPCCD decks. Would be a good to have an advance warning to prepare my bank account for some bleeding...

[theCapraAegagrus]

Alex - I agree with Bradius. Those who were interested in the decks had enough time to pledge for the decks. Granted, the EB tiers went rather quickly but non-EB ones were available for a reasonable amount of time.

Coins/card guards and a nice booklet about the whole series would be a good idea. The other thing may be a Carat case with a Seasons logo on - don't know though if the economics would work.

On an unrelated subject - do you know when you would be looking to launch your NPCCD decks. Would be a good to have an advance warning to prepare my bank account for some bleeding...

My educated guess is that he has some for sale at the 52+ Joker Convention. I think he did this both in 2016 and last year. Also, IIRC, they went on sale at his web site the week of Thanksgiving after that.

[IAmTheChin]

On an unrelated subject - do you know when you would be looking to launch your NPCCD decks.

So the NPCCD is a holiday deck. It's based on an actual date which is October 17th. It happens to be around convention time and they typically have it before then so it's always been nice to show it off as a bit of a presentation. But it's always tethered to the date.

[guru]

Aristocrat stock is their linen stock. I'm actually not going to use that term anymore I think they discontinued it. It was offered to me for the first Apothecary deck but when they switched out terms I just kept it for continuity sake.
The Magic finish though if I'm not mistaken isn't default. I'm paying extra for it.

Thanks Alex. Got the following response from USPCC today. As per them, Magic and Aristocrat seems to be one and the same thing. Good to know.

I think Ellusuonist used to hype and differentiate its products by using terms such as Magic or performance coating but in reality, it is simply embossed finish.

We have 2 types of finish – embossed (textured) and smooth (no texture).

There are different names for both due to marketing but they all mean the same finish. Embossed is sometimes listed as Performance, Magic, Air Cushion, Linen, Cambric, and Aristocrat. Smooth is typically just listed as Smooth or Ivory (no texture).

[rousselle]

Back in the long ago, Ellusionist had worked with USPCC to come up with a custom formula for the varnish used on their cards. They called this UV500.

Then, the USPCC moved to a new place, and they left behind the old ways of doing things. And from this new place, they would only offer one or two variations, and anyone who wanted custom varnish or custom finishes or any of the old ways would be bannished beyond the thunderdome. Because they knew that the future did not belong to customization. No, the future belonged to everything being the same.

But, lo, the marketing people, they knew. They knew that just because you only offer one product, that doesn't mean you can't give it different names. And so, they sold their only varnish as "Conformity," as "Standardization," and as "One Size Fits All." And they continued to refer to their single, new finish by the many old names, like "Cambric" and "Linoid" and "Madison's Scrotum."

And so, the days of UV500 came and went, but Ellusionist did not continue to use the name once that varnish had faded away into history. No. They, like others, chose to use other fancy names. But they retired the name UV500, like so many replicants at the hands of the blade runners.