TGW presents The Beetlebacks designed by Widakk

[laitostarr777]

I will wait the time when Wake will partner up with Gio
I am curious, what story will Gio came up with

[rousselle]

Haven't heard much regarding Rick Davidson lately. I know this: if you and he managed to reconnect and try to make a go of it, that would be a slam dunk for me.

[veil]

Is it just me, or does the Dynastinae tuck feel like a bit of an ode to the Lepidopterist?

[STLBluesNut]

I will wait the time when Wake will partner up with Gio
I am curious, what story will Gio came up with

this would be awesome! i dont think that would happen though. i can guarantee TGW loves Gio but Gio's style doesnt really fit the TGW brand i dont think.

[Bradius]

I don't know. I could see Gio doing something with a Miami flair that could work with TGW's style. I think it could be fun to try to push different designs and styles in a way that can work together. What I am thinking about is more of The Order-ish style, but shifted to more of a Cuban or Miami 1920's-30's vibe. It would be clean lines, but lighter and still very classy.

[Harvonsgard]

Now you've implanted some sort of GTA Vice City vibe in my head for a TGW-Gio-collaboration, Bradius.
Would definitely feel like a branch out for both but that's exactly how you grab new clients. I'm personally very bored by Gio decks, not that something is wrong with them but personally, I simply moved on after his Order campaign. TGW was with Tempest and Successor close to chime me in but there was still something lacking so, maybe if both join forces they might get me.

The Beetlebacks for now, while more than solid are kinda giving me a TXI level vibe which is not what interests me but we haven't seen courts yet. Not that I think there will be huge surprises when you're familiar with Widakk's style.

[TheGentlemanWake]

[CourtCurator]

Looking good!

[wingedpotato]

I really like how the typography marries with the illustration.

[TheGentlemanWake]

[wingedpotato]

Beautiful but highly disturbing. Shades of Kafka.

[TheGentlemanWake]

Beautiful but highly disturbing. Shades of Kafka.

Oh totally intentional. Theodore G. Willaford awoke one morning not feeling entirely himself. TGW becomes the beetle! care to guess what the “G” stands for?

[rousselle]

Beautiful but highly disturbing. Shades of Kafka.

Oh totally intentional. Theodore G. Willaford awoke one morning not feeling entirely himself. TGW becomes the beetle! care to guess what the “G” stands for?

Grotesque.

[Harvonsgard]

Giant beetle.

[TheGentlemanWake]

The Aces and the first WIP court card.

[laitostarr777]

Wow, definitely these will be good~

[Bradius]

Yep, this is good stuff

[Sir Toddalot]

Looking great!

[Harvonsgard]

Very classic looking court card, without the usual retardation a lot of classic courts feature. Might be too classic for me to pledge.

[Adamthinks]

Love the aces. Was hoping the beetleback theme would be the basis for the courts though. Standard courts are usually a no for me.

[TheGentlemanWake]

Love the aces. Was hoping the beetleback theme would be the basis for the courts though. Standard courts are usually a no for me.

The Beetlebacks are designed to be a customized classic deck perfect for gameplay and magic. Legibility/recognition are very important to me on this. We are working on a KoS gaff to be included that will feature Theo as the King. And these are far from Standard. Completely new illustrations which will all feature callbacks to the beetle (like the ones in the kos' vestments). Not at all dissimilar to Jackson Robinson, Lotrek or Lorenzo's versions of the court cards

[GandalfPC]

Liking the courts myself - top notch.

[Adamthinks]

I get and appreciate all of that, but those courts are, while original illustrations, very very close to standard courts. And I don't generally buy the decks from those designers that have their versions of standard courts either. I do buy their decks with fully custom courts though. That's just my personal preference.

[wingedpotato]

I get and appreciate all of that, but those courts are, while original illustrations, very very close to standard courts. And I don't generally buy the decks from those designers that have their versions of standard courts either. I do buy their decks with fully custom courts though. That's just my personal preference.

I think when people use the term "standard courts" when a lot of design time and thought was put into the variation, it can rankle that creator. You clarified yourself quite well.

I used to feel that way too, but I've really come to appreciate intricate variations on standard courts. Not that I try to collect every variation out there, but certain ones just speak to me. These speak to me quite loudly.

[Adamthinks]

Custom standards are a totally valid way to go that a lot of people really appreciate. And i might end up grabbing these anyway, because I love everything else about them we've seen. It's just, when I see those Aces, I see the potential for something truly incredible. A story in 4 parts is being told with those Aces, and I think it would be epic if those Aces acted as chapter markers, where the rest of the story was fleshed out in the courts. Just my perspective. I'm sure these will turn out great and sell well either way.

[shkorc]

The Beetlebacks are designed to be a customized classic deck perfect for gameplay and magic. Legibility/recognition are very important to me on this.

Since the business model is now more focused towards collectors, I feel something other than standard courts would be a more appealing choice.

If it were geared towards worker decks than standard courts would be logical, imho.

[Harvonsgard]

Not at all dissimilar to Jackson Robinson, Lotrek or Lorenzo's versions of the court cards

If Jackson is on that list Daniel Schneider should be mentioned as well.

[PiazzaDelivery]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't TotT supposed to be

designed to be a customized classic deck perfect for gameplay and magic.

?

Not criticizing whatsoever, if that's the overall aesthetic you're going for with the TGW line, that's your prerogative. Just curious as to why it seems this is the case a 2nd time with a theme I think we can all agree would likely lend itself particularly well to very interesting "MORE customized" courts.

[vasta41]

I, for one, love slightly altered takes on standard courts, like these.

[TheGentlemanWake]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't TotT supposed to be

designed to be a customized classic deck perfect for gameplay and magic.

?

Not criticizing whatsoever, if that's the overall aesthetic you're going for with the TGW line, that's your prerogative. Just curious as to why it seems this is the case a 2nd time with a theme I think we can all agree would likely lend itself particularly well to very interesting "MORE customized" courts.

Easiest answer is that this is my vision at this time. I also think beautiful customized standard courts will perform better overall in the general market (not just collectors). To me the beetleBacks should feel like the flagship TGW deck in the way the rider backs are the flagship bicycle deck. Maybe later on there will be a version with a court of beetles but not this time. I personally LOVE it when the courts are an homage to the highly recognizable standard courts but done in fresh ways.