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Beetle Backs & Burnout: Rethinking Completionism

After receiving the Beetle Backs decks, I found myself reflecting on the experience of opening and going through each one. I thought to myself: Do I really need more variations of standard decks? They end up taking up shelf space and often don’t offer the same kind of enjoyment I get from more custom releases.

With three more versions on the way and likely priced in line with previous TGW releases, I’m starting to question the value. Why am I paying a brand premium for something that, in terms of print quality (WJPC), feels functionally similar to other decks? The one standout difference is the upgraded tuck cases from Studio Pression.

I'm definitely feeling conflicted. Projects like these used to spark excitement, but now they can feel more like obligations. When I weigh the financial cost against the emotional return, I’m left uncertain about continuing to collect for completion’s sake.

Ive never really viewed completionism as a goal, at least not for most projects.

at least here I got

a normal deck
a foiled deck
a gilded version of that foiled deck (doing it today the other one probably gets dropped but I do collect his "black" decks which is the unfoiled version.)
A gilded version of white/black swap of the above decks
a gilded version of the above deck with different foiling

The only thing that kinds of made the whole thing "meh" were the standard faces...and as discussed thats just my evolution over the past 2 years since this campaign came out.

yes I'll probably get every parlour 5th deck they release here shortly but...I understand.

As I groused about with the latest room one campaign yeah I dont see the need to be a completionist I want different decks for my money, with novel artwork

Ever since I got into collecting Ive been less than appreciative of campaigns that lock the "best" version behind having to back something you maybe wouldn't want once you have that deck. (not that TGW did that here).

Let's see if TGW can have one more hurrah, because S17.

But I'm done. My short-lived support through Goldsmith, Groundskeeper, and Beetlebacks, has been quite the adventure. Happy to get away with these decks than not though. I have 4 super blinged decks, I don't need more.

kevork wrote: ↑Sun Aug 03, 2025 4:56 pm Beetle Backs & Burnout: Rethinking Completionism

After receiving the Beetle Backs decks, I found myself reflecting on the experience of opening and going through each one. I thought to myself: Do I really need more variations of standard decks? They end up taking up shelf space and often don’t offer the same kind of enjoyment I get from more custom releases.

With three more versions on the way and likely priced in line with previous TGW releases, I’m starting to question the value. Why am I paying a brand premium for something that, in terms of print quality (WJPC), feels functionally similar to other decks? The one standout difference is the upgraded tuck cases from Studio Pression.

I'm definitely feeling conflicted. Projects like these used to spark excitement, but now they can feel more like obligations. When I weigh the financial cost against the emotional return, I’m left uncertain about continuing to collect for completion’s sake.

Kevork,

Interesting to see your change in collecting. I went down this similar path almost two years ago now and I’ve been much happier. I find much more enjoyment with less decks and only those that truly call to me. I hope that will be the same will be for you.

That being said, you are a Lotrek collector when it comes to completionism (as far as I know). While Lotrek doesn’t do campaigns like this, does your change in collecting philosophy also apply to his decks?

kevork wrote: ↑Sun Aug 03, 2025 4:56 pm Beetle Backs & Burnout: Rethinking Completionism
... I'm definitely feeling conflicted. Projects like these used to spark excitement, but now they can feel more like obligations. When I weigh the financial cost against the emotional return, I’m left uncertain about continuing to collect for completion’s sake.

Perhaps "OCD" played a big role in the making of extra editions to fill up the gaps left from Tale of the Tempest and so on.

When I first backed the Parlour (which also serves as my first ever backing a campaign in Kickstarter), I thought I can keep up with the completionist - cuz it's just, Red - Blue - Black - Dynastinae Green ... until The Tale of the Tempest and the next series break that completionism by introducing even more editions - Gold, Holo, White. Because I just can't afford up to Prism, I try to stay away from Prism since then, no matter how tempting that holographic foil is.

And now, Parlour is going to be revisited with newer editions, and with Cartamundi no longer in the picture... *sigh*... welp, that happened.

I guess at the end of the day, money talks.
IF ONLY, at that time, Tale of the Tempest doesn't introduce more editions, none of these would ever happened, and every TGW series will have 4 decks each.

Fenrir wrote: ↑Sun Aug 03, 2025 8:49 pm Kevork,
Interesting to see your change in collecting. I went down this similar path almost two years ago now and I’ve been much happier. I find much more enjoyment with less decks and only those that truly call to me. I hope that will be the same will be for you.

I am exactly the same Fen. I call it the "REALLY, REALLY, REALLY Love" rule. You really have to train yourself however as it is easy to buy those 'shelf space fillers' that kev mentions.

In another thread earlier this week, kev mentioned a Magician deck he backed early in his collecting days and I thought it looked cool and tracked one down. I was doing the 'purchase or not' wrestle when doing some old forum thread reading at the same time, I found a deck that I instantly knew I Really, Really loved - this helped me realize I did not need to have the Magician deck.

Fenrir wrote: ↑Sun Aug 03, 2025 8:49 pm Kevork,

Interesting to see your change in collecting. I went down this similar path almost two years ago now and I’ve been much happier. I find much more enjoyment with less decks and only those that truly call to me. I hope that will be the same will be for you.

That being said, you are a Lotrek collector when it comes to completionism (as far as I know). While Lotrek doesn’t do campaigns like this, does your change in collecting philosophy also apply to his decks?

I'd say that shift has been occuring for quite some time now but I still find myself trying to do mental gymnastics with some purchases. I got into collecting for the art, but like any collector, I've had to go through my own learning curve of refinement and self-control. It's been challenging. I dread thinning my hoard but there are decks I have that deserve homes that will love them in a better way. I'm working on cataloging them at a snail's pace at the moment and even then, they're only a small fraction of my collection that's with me to stay.

Regarding Lotrek, he is the one exception. He has decks even as recent as the Redemption Players decks that are a variation of standard courts, but I love his use of color and design. That, plus the connection I feel to the artist behind the decks makes me more open to enjoying his works. It was awesome meeting him last year and being able to appreciate the human behind the craft.

When I'm buying his decks, I am also directly supporting someone who creates the most technically difficult, opulent, and intricate decks we've seen. For that, I have no regrets.

I can also confidently say I have the most complete collection of his works now, and I feel in some ways a curator as a result. I've had people call me "the Lotrek guy" with some asking me for pricing help, finding decks, general information, and I recall someone directly telling me I inspired them to go on their own hunt for Lotrek decks. That all is fulfilling and purposeful to me and adds to the reasons why he's an exception.

I'm still on the lookout for Lotrek ephemera and that thrill of the hunt drives me, even though the finds are now fewer and far between. In essence that makes the finds even more rewarding. The top of my thread in my signature lists out some of the elusive items I'm still seeking. I know a few who have some of the items but I understand their desire to hold them close...for now

Makes total sense. I think many of us end up on the same path over the course of our collecting journeys. Thinning the hoard can be a daunting process but I found it quite liberating and I hope the same will be true for you. I had always kept my collection in excel and it has worked well for me. Gets easier keeping it up to date as you buy less.

Fully understand for Lotrek, especially when you are passionate about one creator especially. I was addicted to Lorenzo's work for a long time and it was really hard for me to make a call to take a different approach. Ultimately it was the right call as I had many things I wasn't passionate about but was simply buying to say I had it or have a "complete" collection. I think you are definitely known as the "Lotrek guy" but can't say that's a bad thing.

Collecting looks different for everyone but I feel there are commonalities we all share, just at different times. Usually it ends up being a focus or refinement from the time we all start to a certain point in the journey.

Kev, I'm glad you are the foremost collector for Lotrek. That's an amazing accomplishment and must feel very gratifying.

I can vouch that kev is "the Lotrek guy" for he told me I should not need to spend $x on the Venexiana pair and I waited and got them at the price he said I should

Yeah, thanks to his list, we get to know every decks Lotrek has ever made

Collecting is fun and overwhelming at the same time at the beginning but it's always that point where either you collect something else or trim it down. I never been a completionist but I understand why people are. When this deck release, I might get only the Ivory edition. The Beetlebacks was my last Kickstarter pledge.

Probably next week or so, I'll have a huge sale of new decks posted in the Marketplace section of here.

I am definitely in the trim it down phase but I find it overwhelming. So many decks, none categorized electronically. No idea how to start. Doing Ebay seems too slow and time consuming but is probably the best method.

Launching this tuesday.

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

I still can’t decide what to do about this campaign. Given my lack of enthusiasm it seems like the answer might be to not pick any up.

I dig these, so I'll be in for a full set.

Campaign preview:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/th ... n=7b1864f9

TheGentlemanWake wrote: ↑Sun Aug 10, 2025 11:57 am Campaign preview:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/th ... n=7b1864f9

The legacy description needs to be adjusted since it says Ivory.

Is there a chance that you have an Ivory edition that wasn't gilded? I'd buy that from you.

kevork wrote: ↑Sun Aug 10, 2025 1:11 pm

TheGentlemanWake wrote: ↑Sun Aug 10, 2025 11:57 am Campaign preview:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/th ... n=7b1864f9

The legacy description needs to be adjusted since it says Ivory.

Is there a chance that you have an Ivory edition that wasn't gilded? I'd buy that from you.

Thanks. I will check that.

Regarding the Ivory deck.. it's edge printed, not gilded. And unfortunately no, the decks are already printed and awaiting fulfillment!

TheGentlemanWake wrote: ↑Sun Aug 10, 2025 1:42 pm

kevork wrote: ↑Sun Aug 10, 2025 1:11 pm

TheGentlemanWake wrote: ↑Sun Aug 10, 2025 11:57 am Campaign preview:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/th ... n=7b1864f9

The legacy description needs to be adjusted since it says Ivory.

Is there a chance that you have an Ivory edition that wasn't gilded? I'd buy that from you.

Thanks. I will check that.

Regarding the Ivory deck.. it's edge printed, not gilded. And unfortunately no, the decks are already printed and awaiting fulfillment!

Feedback on the page.

- Wording for the legacy gold deck says that the gilding matches the red interior. My guess is just a copy and paste error.

- In the prism section at the start of the second sentence you are missing a space between it and features.

Fenrir wrote: ↑Sun Aug 10, 2025 3:51 pm

TheGentlemanWake wrote: ↑Sun Aug 10, 2025 1:42 pm

kevork wrote: ↑Sun Aug 10, 2025 1:11 pm

TheGentlemanWake wrote: ↑Sun Aug 10, 2025 11:57 am Campaign preview:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/th ... n=7b1864f9

The legacy description needs to be adjusted since it says Ivory.

Is there a chance that you have an Ivory edition that wasn't gilded? I'd buy that from you.

Thanks. I will check that.

Regarding the Ivory deck.. it's edge printed, not gilded. And unfortunately no, the decks are already printed and awaiting fulfillment!

Feedback on the page.

- Wording for the legacy gold deck says that the gilding matches the red interior. My guess is just a copy and paste error.

- In the prism section at the start of the second sentence you are missing a space between it and features.

Noted. Thanks!

I appreciate that this is a very simple and transparent campaign.

Since it hasn't been mentioned here yet, launch is expected for 1pm EST tomorrow, August 12th.

That means 1Am the next day for me. I always get the worst timings, being in Asia X.X

Think I might go for the trio XD I feel, it's best that I've completed the series which was the first ever Kickstarter project I backed

I don't think timing this to jump in first will make much of a difference. If it does, oh well.... I am not planning to deal with this in the first few seconds or minutes. Definitely I will be on it within the first day, but not setting my clock by it.

masagin303 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 11, 2025 8:23 am I appreciate that this is a very simple and transparent campaign.

Trust me... so do I!

There is a fourth variation that will be for Stockholm17 patrons should anyone be going for completion.

Heck.... way to burst my bubble thinking I will complete The Parlour series...

I gotta make a phone call *rings a friend who currently in S17 Patreon*

Live stream today at NOON eastern!

I liked the options. Picked up a trio and looking forward to them.