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I also skipped the case and would appreciate it if I received the deck as promised initially, without the 4-month delay for something I didn't opt for.

So, VXD is the opposite of Joker and the Thief?

It's always best to learn from someone else's mistakes. Good on them.

Dear all

Firstly, thanks so many of you for being understanding and encouraging. There was nothing we could have done from our end to prevent this delay. We designed the product with great care and paid our money. We were badly let down. And yes, we do feel scammed / cheated and are extremely disappointed and deflated currently. Not all Chinese factories are like that I don't believe and they can certainly produce precision goods. From now on in though, we are going to be more vigilant and hands-on in that element of the production process. It was the same factory that did produce the Vertex Deck metal cases, which I know all our previous backers and others in the industry are very impressed with...but something went wrong in the recent management of that factory, via our agent and due to a change in management within the factory itself. We have to pick ourselves up from here and take it as a lesson and forge forward in our pioneering mission with this product. I just finished reading the book 'Shoe Dog' by Phil Knight (the founder of Nike) and if there's one thing to take away from that book regarding introducing a new product to the world, it is, that it's NEVER EASY. Case in point here for us. It does give me perspective and encouragement to persevere. The Diffractor tech has similarities to the Nike Air Bubble tech too...a patented aesthetic gimmick, with an actual use (in their case cushioning, in ours advertising / promotion etc).

Regarding people asking whether we can split the fulfilment of this project into two though....it's not possible, I'm sorry. The black sleeves and sticker seals for the metal versions are made alongside the tuck production (as it's paper production processes) and we would have to mobilise twice at the factories here in Europe to split this in two batches (metal and non-metal). On top of this, fulfilment itself is a big job (ask any creator)...getting a system going for sending out hundreds of packages (sorting, packaging, labelling, taking to the delivery centres etc). Splitting that into two as well, would cause a great deal of extra work and cost as well. Then there are the issues of those (of whom there are very many - hundreds too) who have pledged for both metal and non-metal units. We are not going to split their packages up and send them two packages. You're talking many more hundreds of Euros to do that. All in all this suggestion would cost us multi-thousands again of losses, on top of the $12-14,000 that we calculate this China situation will have cost us. I'm sorry but we cannot cope with that. We ask for your understanding and that everyone be (fairly) fulfilled concurrently, in July.

Thanks and regards. Wishing everyone a nice weekend.

Thanks for the reply. After your explanation, I understand better why you can’t split shipping. It is a shame, but I understand. I am glad you were able to find a new manufacturer for the metal cases. You all have definitely had challenges getting your decks fulfilled. Last time it was the holographic printing on the cards, and this time it is the metal cases. I am fine with waiting. It just seems something I deal with often with Kickstarter projects.

Hey Brad

Yes, we've now had a major issue with each aspect of our production and at the critical moments (which I guess is no great surprise, as people, including factories, leave their 'homework' until the day before it's due).

I don't believe we have any naivety anymore these days, having made countless travels to foreign countries and meetings with lots of factories and been through the technical challenges & QA / QC procedures over and over with them. At the end of the day, I am starting to realise that a factories assurance is no guarantee that you can leave them to it. I think you can 99% rely on factories if you're asking them to do something that they're used to doing all the time...but when it comes to a bespoke product, they need a fair amount of assistance and guidance. That's why I'm currently in the process of writing a booklet for each factory, which details the things to look out for in their respective processes - so we don't have to re-invent the wheel! Further down the line, we are also looking to have at least one back-up factory in place for each process, so that if something does go pear-shaped at one, we can quickly and easily switch to the other.

I'm fully aware that the result of this delay will be that backers will not 100% trust our delivery date for the upcoming next edition (London Diffractor) and I said exactly that to our agent in China, among other damages this has caused us.

I will say right here and now on record for everyone on UC (& KS) - until we have a track record for delivering on or before our stated delivery date (i.e maybe when we've hit 3 in a row on time) we will not launch a Kickstarter until our previous one is totally fulfilled - you can hold us to that.

Regards

Thanks for the kind words and plans to improve your processes. Spoken like an engineer.

Of course, you are still an amateur to setbacks compared with Lotrek. Whatever can go wrong has happened to him. In the end, I still funnel tons of money his way while projects are outstanding.

Why? Not because I like spending tons of money and wait long times to get items. It is because he puts out amazing stuff that is unique and beautiful. I know it will come, in time. He has a sterling reputation on delivering what he promised, whatever the cost to him.

Bradius wrote: In the end, I still funnel tons of money his way while projects are outstanding.

Why? Not because I like spending tons of money and wait long times to get items. It is because he puts out amazing stuff that is unique and beautiful. I know it will come, in time. He has a sterling reputation on delivering what he promised, whatever the cost to him.

Well said. +1

FYI - UPDATE JUST POSTED ON KS


Dear Backers

As the title suggests, we are happy to report that all is peachy & rosey again!

In the last 2 months we've managed to secure a new metal case producer, one that is fundamentally more established and reliable than the previous one which eventually went bust. So that is great news. The prices went up slightly per unit but we are ok with that as payment for greater accountability and peace-of-mind. I'm also happy to report that we were able to re-coup our 40% deposit eventually too.

The other very positive step forward has been that we have managed to arrange a new partnership in the production of our unique patented playing cards, for this run and all future runs, between Cartamundi and our existing specialist premium printer. This is a perfect marriage of existing playing card industry experience with high-end print-finishing expertise and will strengthen our production considerably. We are really happy to have Cartamundi on board the Diffractor Playing Cards project.

All-in-all, we are back on track and feeling good again!

Plus, there may be an additional bonus in each backers package.....I can't promise that quite yet, but we're trying to arrange it. If it does transpire, it will be a little addition to say thank you for all your patience while we sorted the recent metal case production issue out.

All the best and I hope you're all having a great 2019 so far.

Kind regards to all.

Unfortunately I missed this campaign, but the cards look great. Given the responsiveness I've seen in this thread, I'll definitely be in on the next one. Great job!

I am glad you were able to get your deposit back.

Robert, there will probably be some decks for sale after the backer rewards are sent out, but a bit higher than on Kickstarter.

I backed the previous campaign, but couldn't afford this one. It's very reassuring to see how hard you guys work to get us our products.

Rest assured this transparency, even with a delay, will go a long way in this community.

Sent from my Galaxy 8 using Tapatalk

Hello all community members.

Here is a copy of our latest update and images of updated artwork for the Vegas Diffractor. We are super impressed with Lance's work and dedication to always improving and I believe he is really about to make our tech come fully alive. See for yourselves the 3 artwork layers...well actually 5 artwork layers if you count the 2 layers per card front too.


Dear Backers

Firstly a production update for the Vegas Diffractor Project:

1) The metal cases are fully back on track now and our issues there well behind us. The new factory delivered samples to us just recently, for us to check and we are happy to report that the fit of the cases has been improved further (over the Vertex Deck) by using a combination of moulds and also CNC, where the previous factory just used moulds. The colours and polished finish are also looking great and have also been approved.

2) We have taken full advantage of the metal cases delay to make improvements to the artwork as well. We have had regular meetings with Lance Miller who has put in some sterling effort to upgrade all his art for the Vegas Diffractor, especially the details on the card back, including to all three layers....Inks layer, transparent holographics layer & metal foil layer. Everything is now much sharper and there are some nice additions too. Here are the 3 updated artwork layers for your viewing pleasures:

VEGAS DIFFRACTOR - TRANSPARENT HOLOGRAPHICS LAYER

VEGAS DIFFFRACTOR - METAL FOIL LAYER

To check out more on this artwork update and other images and videos, you can visit our respective Instagram pages, where we will be posting it in a day or two.

https://www.instagram.com/diffractor_pl ... =undefined" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.instagram.com/lancetmiller/?hl=undefined" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

3) I mentioned in a previous update that we were considering a couple of bonuses for everyone, as a way of saying thanks for your understanding and patience with regard to the metal cases hiccup. So we have arranged the following additions:

i) All tuck boxes will feature embossing now

ii) All metal deck stickers will now be black foil stamped (they were black ink on the Vertex Deck)

4) Delivery is scheduled for the last week in July.


Now to our other exciting announcement:

OUR WEBSITE IS OPENING, TOMORROW

We wanted to launch right now, but we needed some final adjustments so that will now be tomorrow for launch. I'll post another update tomorrow with the link to the site.

FYI - For 3.5 months the website will be a landing page. Then on September 1st 2019, our very cool and totally unique shop will open on there. It's going to be pretty special - design work is ongoing!

Thanks all and I hope you are all having a very productive and happy 2019 so far.

Kind regards from us all at VXD International. Cheers!

Are there any way to get these now after the campaign has ended?

I was hesitant about backing these given the price ($80 for a metal deck I think) but I am getting more and more eager to have these

Come on now....with a name like HSBC....you got bank to get yourself a few!

Decknowledgy

The answer to your question is coming right up (in a couple of hours on here). However, KS prices are never going to be available for the Vertex Deck or the Vegas Diffractor again I'm afraid. There has to be a reward for the people who have faith in us and our product at KS time.

We hope that the last delivery (Vertex Deck) and now this one (Vegas Diffractor) will continue to provide the evidence that we're designing / manufacturing / delivering something un-matched in the market and we continue to have more and more happy customers on that basis.

FYI All

Our new (currently landing page) website just went live. The link is as follows:

https://vxdinternational.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Regards

In order to save people (on UC at least) wasting any time, I will update the serial numbers that have been reserved already since our website launch. Here is the first update to that effect:

Wait, does that mean we can ask for a specific number? That seems like a logistical nightmare

I think for those purchased directly, not for Kickstarter. If we are picking numbers, I’ll take 007!

Guys

To be clear (as I believe it should be, from the text sent to interested parties via the website):

The picking of individual serial numbers is occurring for all the REMAINING STOCK. Prices are however roughly double KS prices though also, you'll notice (if you hit the DEAL ME IN button). The unique shop we're currently working on and which opens 1st Sept is designed specifically to deal with this (logistical nightmare).

The KS backers get the low numbers and pay roughly half the prices.

Yeah 007 is obviously a pretty cool one (especially for the London Edition coming up next!)....maybe it will pop up one day

Excited about a London Edition. When I lived there, I had a 5 minute walk to my office that overlooked the Tower of London.

Hey Brad

That's a great area to live in London! I had a walk around Tower of London the last time I was there....it's always very impressive.

As with the Vegas Diffractor and as will drive the design for each deck in the 'World City Series' we have planned, the artwork will always TELL A STORY. We (Including Lance) are firm believers in that approach and really enjoy how researching the history can guide you to a final composition. We won't ever be just putting pretty shapes and frames together to form some abstract composition. Personally I don't believe that approach will stand the test of time...there is just too much of it about and it becomes hard to define what is different between them.

The story behind the Vegas Diffractor centres around the discovery of the Las Vegas valley by the scout, Raphael Rivera - he's the silhouetted figure looking from 'the meadows' (Las Vegas in Spanish) to a shiny new hotel in the future in front of him. The rest of the art then effectively tells the story of it's progression to modern day Vegas and the symbols we now associate with the place.

The alcohol symbols - referring to the illegal sales of alcohol for which it was famous in the early days
The theatre curtains - referring to the many great shows for which Vegas is famous
The dollar signs hidden in the corners - referring to gambling of course and the city being effectively built around money
The roman head of Fortuna - referring to the goddess of fortune (and luck being required in Vegas!)
The fountains (and the hoover dam on the tucks) - referring to Vegas' heavy reliance upon water
The two large stars - referring to the landmark 'Welcome to fabulous Las Vegas Nevada' sign
The stars & stripes in the centre - obviously referring to the country it's located in

I wonder if people spot these things?.....here is the artwork again (below) for easy reference.

Coming back to the London Diffractor, which Lance and I are now working on. You'll be happy to hear that the Tower of London does feature actually quite heavily, as well as Westminster Abbey. I won't give it all away, but the origin of the London Diffractor story is related to the origin of modern anglo-american playing cards themselves - the standard courts clothing comes from Tudor times. So we have gone back to the Wars of the Roses and Henry Tudor (the King from 1485-1509) for this deck. We had a basic design for this snapshot in English history, from the very first designs we showed on here (when the Vertex Deck was going to be of London), but Lance of course is now bringing it to a whole new professional level. Looking forward to posting something on that soon. That will be a new 'VXD London Diffractor' thread of course. Coming soon!

First peek of the Vegas Diffractor (Gold Deck).

We're very happy with the result so far....and this is without the transparent holographics! More pics to follow

ULTRAVIOLET FOIL BEAUTY!!

Wow. Those look nice.