Gakondo Playing Cards (Rwanda Heritage)
Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2019 7:38 am
I guess since the deck is already prototype-printed and sold massively in Rwanda, it could be deemed a completed deck. For more info on the backstory of my involvement in this deck, check out the post in the drafting board: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=13135
The deck is prototype printed by Cartamundi on their Corona 300 laminated card board, but the handling is ridiculously smooth and fans evenly without indentations. The deck was first-time created by our UC member here @niyomax85 who goes by @niyo_99 on Instagram.
Features of deck:
① Unique Rwandan totem and pattern (strong cultural theme)
② Rounded corners (due to prototype print)
③ Fully custom, including unique pip orientation
④ Superb handling even with smooth finish
⑤ Extras: 1 Gakondo ad, 1 Rwanda intro, 2 non-identical jokers
The deck is a prototype print run of 210, sold initially in the Rwandan market, but became a massive hit due to the cultural authenticity. The deck blew up to the state that the Rwandan Tourist Bureau asked for the deck to be included as a souvenir deck, while other government bodies including the National Museum in Rwanda asked for it too (Maxime has sent me all the contract and certificates that came from the Rwandan government) . He initially wanted to put this on Kickstarter but due to the fact that KS is VERY Western, Rwanda is excluded from the list of operational countries. Thus, this deck will likely never be brought to light in the playing card scene. YET. Currently, Maxime has already refined the design to a V3 version, and hopefully the design will become a hit once it comes to life. For more of the detail on the upgraded designs, check the topic in the drafting board. And if anyone's interested in preordering the upcoming decks, follow here: https://www.weadd.design/gakondo/
The deck is not without rookie errors of course. The Aces' corner indices have a different font than the other cards, and all the corner indices are too far from the corners, making it difficult to read while doing a fan. Nonetheless, as a first time deck creation, I think these errors could be forgiven.
The deck is prototype printed by Cartamundi on their Corona 300 laminated card board, but the handling is ridiculously smooth and fans evenly without indentations. The deck was first-time created by our UC member here @niyomax85 who goes by @niyo_99 on Instagram.
Features of deck:
① Unique Rwandan totem and pattern (strong cultural theme)
② Rounded corners (due to prototype print)
③ Fully custom, including unique pip orientation
④ Superb handling even with smooth finish
⑤ Extras: 1 Gakondo ad, 1 Rwanda intro, 2 non-identical jokers
The deck is a prototype print run of 210, sold initially in the Rwandan market, but became a massive hit due to the cultural authenticity. The deck blew up to the state that the Rwandan Tourist Bureau asked for the deck to be included as a souvenir deck, while other government bodies including the National Museum in Rwanda asked for it too (Maxime has sent me all the contract and certificates that came from the Rwandan government) . He initially wanted to put this on Kickstarter but due to the fact that KS is VERY Western, Rwanda is excluded from the list of operational countries. Thus, this deck will likely never be brought to light in the playing card scene. YET. Currently, Maxime has already refined the design to a V3 version, and hopefully the design will become a hit once it comes to life. For more of the detail on the upgraded designs, check the topic in the drafting board. And if anyone's interested in preordering the upcoming decks, follow here: https://www.weadd.design/gakondo/
The deck is not without rookie errors of course. The Aces' corner indices have a different font than the other cards, and all the corner indices are too far from the corners, making it difficult to read while doing a fan. Nonetheless, as a first time deck creation, I think these errors could be forgiven.
1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 5, 6? 