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Get ready…. something will surface in 2025 by ARK

We'll see if they can fish up a pledge level that Isnt just bait.

Once again, I'm hesitant. Looks incredible for a potential art print, but not as much for a playing card. The details will get lost. I guess we'll see.

I'm intrigued. Wonder how they'll be cutting those irregular card shapes at scale.

Their base decks are always too expensive considering there is no foiling, gilding, or even metallic inks. Ark is probably the one brand I consider myself to be a 5 star hater of

Adamthinks wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2024 11:44 am I'm intrigued. Wonder how they'll be cutting those irregular card shapes at scale.

XD I just noticed the white outline around the artwork.

I think it will he normal Poker Playing Cards hahahaha

KGthePrince wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2024 2:37 pm Their base decks are always too expensive considering there is no foiling, gilding, or even metallic inks. Ark is probably the one brand I consider myself to be a 5 star hater of

In their slight defense, at least they no longer forced you to get two decks in the box set for the Standard tier like their older projects. But, I still called them out for still doing the box set practices and not allowing us to get just the decks.

I have no complaints about their art when viewed on a phone or computer. However, their cards not only have handling issues, but the images also become blurry when held in hand, and I’m not sure why. Like it's not HD

Another aspect I dislike is their pricing strategy. They often create FOMO by showing eBay screenshots of anticipated price increases after Kickstarter or pre-orders, which haven't materialized in their recent 3-4 projects. I buy and collect decks for fun, not invest. And I really enjoy opening every deck.

Additionally, they pressure you to buy multiple decks just to get the one you want. Most importantly, many may not realize that they sell these decks much cheaper in China (on Taobao) through their official online store, and you don’t have to purchase extras to get the desired deck. I know this because I live in Taiwan.

DeepCard wrote: ↑Fri Dec 20, 2024 4:21 am Another aspect I dislike is their pricing strategy. They often create FOMO by showing eBay screenshots of anticipated price increases after Kickstarter or pre-orders, which haven't materialized in their recent 3-4 projects. I buy and collect decks for fun, not invest. And I really enjoy opening every deck.

I remember my conversation with ARK, that they claimed, majority who backed their campaigns aren’t those who will enjoy them by opening the cards and play with the tuck box or collect and display them - they are those scalpers who are hoping to get quick profits. Similar to the Labubu case of PoPMart
Proof that they said it themselves… it’s unfortunate that we never be able to get rid of these people. I know they are trying to make a living, but preying on customers doesn’t feel right.

If true, that just tells me it's a hype brand that will lose significant value as time passes. I'm in this primarily for the art, but even then, ARK doesn't satisfy me in the ways someone like Lorenzo would. I'm blown away by the EotO campaign for example. Just received and opened my decks yesterday.

The last two ARK campaigns I dipped my toes in, opening the decks left me unsatisfied. It was enough to deter me unless something out of the ordinary comes out and I see real pictures of the cards first, not renders or the raw drawing.

The lead designer showed this on IG Story, then posted on his feed.

This must be the color foiled version of the deck, the one in the box set with the artbook. Looks like it has that Mystery Finish with the pattern, and the cards are gilded with blue foil.

From their group in FB, this is the teaser of the design of elaborate tuck box

More teasers as follows of Atlantis Playing Cards coming to Kickstarter on new year January
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEM59XFP ... dmY3k0NHRo

5hrs and 40mins left till new year, for GMT+8 areas

All of these details… it is something as close to NPCCD 2020 Hindsight would do. It’s just so beautiful…

The campaign is expected to launch two weeks from now! Confirmed on January 15

More previews of the deck itself!!!
Sooo much details.... TBH, ARK not making all of these as Art Prints are such missed opportunities to be honest!

These are the courts! Sea folks! Each suit represents an aquatic species in which are part of their biology appearance or set of armors and such. Wonder if it's One-Way court of all the editions, or One-Way to be found on the Tranformation tuckbox editions.

Welp, looks like yet another Ark deck I'll be adding to my collection.

As always I find their art muddled and lacking clarity and definition. It doesn't work for me for playing cards. I can see that there's some good ideas there but the execution of those ideas doesn't resonate with me.

Strag wrote: ↑Mon Jan 06, 2025 8:54 am As always I find their art muddled and lacking clarity and definition. It doesn't work for me for playing cards. I can see that there's some good ideas there but the execution of those ideas doesn't resonate with me.

Same here. I just received the Kite deck and I do like the court cards, but Apollo and Ankh were both very muddy and I fear this will be the same.

I also tend to stay away from one-way courts. Even though I collect for the art and don't play with my decks, I like them to at least function as playable.

Adamthinks wrote: ↑Mon Jan 06, 2025 8:08 am Welp, looks like yet another Ark deck I'll be adding to my collection.

Let’s see if the Wooden Box set gotta be another killer

Props to them for inventive boxes but the art has never drawn me in. Just so muddy like Strag said.

The release is getting close!
This is the Kickstarter page preview:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/el ... rds-by-ark

And this is a short clip to it’s Artist Boxset:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEkHVzKz ... I1bG9lYjUy

I share your amazement with Ark works Laitostar, I just couldn't keep up with the rate of their projects.
Also not a fan of the plasticky holographic cards.

But in an alternate universe, I would acquire everything they put out.

The foiling on the gold deck and the blue gilded deck make the art muddier than ever

I understand some here quite excited, but for me, this is an easy of a pass as they come.

I ain't tryna rain on your hype, Laito

Disenchanted_11 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 08, 2025 10:04 pm I just couldn't keep up with the rate of their projects.

Me neither lol. I am not Paul who always go All-In everytime XD

KGthePrince wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2025 12:37 am I ain't tryna rain on your hype, Laito

It's alright, I don't feel ruined XD
"Muddy artwork" is the most commentaries everyone make on ARK's projects. Very heavy detailed artworks, compressed into small canvas of a poker size playing cards... resulting in a very crowded illustration when viewed. Even the artworks didn’t do justice. They DEFINITELY missed every opportunities to sell the artworks as larger ArtPrints

laitostarr777 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2025 1:12 am

Disenchanted_11 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 08, 2025 10:04 pm I just couldn't keep up with the rate of their projects.

Me neither lol. I am not Paul who always go All-In everytime XD

KGthePrince wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2025 12:37 am I ain't tryna rain on your hype, Laito

It's alright, I don't feel ruined XD
"Muddy artwork" is the most commentaries everyone make on ARK's projects. Very heavy detailed artworks, compressed into small canvas of a poker size playing cards... resulting in a very crowded illustration when viewed. Even the artworks didn’t do justice. They DEFINITELY missed every opportunities to sell the artworks as larger ArtPrints

I dont think its fair to blame the small format for the muddiness, the original artwork doesn't appear to be clearly drawn enough, compounded by then making it small.

It seems to be a common thing with Chinese first party decks I have the same complaint about a lot of the Kingstar decks. As TWI and others have proven, Kingstar is (or was? not sure what version of the company printed the recent kingstar decks I got) capable of printing very high quality decks, so I have to lay the blame on the source art.

Even with ARK they have produced what I would say is a very clear deck, and then a lot of muddy decks

side by side of Ankh and Apollo, I actually tapped the phone because I thought it was out of focus looking at the Apollo side' And lets not even get into some other decks like Shan Hai that the art is nearly unreadable.

I hope the accordion unfolding "scallop shell" box will be available on the basic deck. The preview video on Instagram makes it look like it's only available with the deluxe box set.

Swiski66 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2025 3:06 pm I hope the accordion unfolding "scallop shell" box will be available on the basic deck. The preview video on Instagram makes it look like it's only available with the deluxe box set.

You’re in luck, it does available in Standard one!
It has been seen Shan Hai

This is live now. I'm in for a standard. The holo versions indeed look way too muddy, but I think it works for the standard edition and the theme. I like the style.

Adamthinks wrote: ↑Wed Jan 15, 2025 1:31 pm This is live now. I'm in for a standard. The holo versions indeed look way too muddy, but I think it works for the standard edition and the theme. I like the style.

Agreed that gold version looks super muddy… My favourite might be the second deck in the artist boxset however.

While Artist set have Holo foils that is muddy, the color does fit with the theme. Though nothing can be said the same with Gold though… unless I can associate Gold and Atlantis through Aquaman’s shiny suit

felicityk wrote: ↑Mon Jan 06, 2025 9:38 am Even though I collect for the art and don't play with my decks, I like them to at least function as playable.

One way cards are perfectly playable - because that is how they used to be in ancient days. Like the days card games were invented and played.
Only cards that are (fairness-wise and ethically) unplayable are marked cards .
Mirrored courts are - compared to the overall age of playing cards - a relatively new invention.

Harvonsgard wrote: ↑Tue Jan 21, 2025 9:09 pm One way cards are perfectly playable - because that is how they used to be in ancient days. Like the days card games were invented and played.
Only cards that are (fairness-wise and ethically) unplayable are marked cards .
Mirrored courts are - compared to the overall age of playing cards - a relatively new invention.

Oh yes, I am aware. I have several vintage and reproduction decks that are one-way. It's just a personal preference in terms of new decks that I prefer mirrored courts in most cases.