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When Lotrek created the Asylum Patreon Tier, he wasn't kidding. Still, Lotrek delivers when he says stuff like this, so "Sock it to me, Lotrek."

Meanwhile, in the manic tier, I'm being whipped into a frenzy of anticipation...

I love Lotrék's work a lot. He is one of few reasons keeping me interested in cards but his industry firsts or advertising in general has become virts-like for the last couple of years. More annoying than interesting. It kinda started with Crypt .

since posting of member-only updates on here is NOW allow but not for me as it seems

maybe keevork can answer this question from another member since Lotrekl doesnt response to actual real info and keevork has all the insight to lotrek decks
these "delays" are starting to ruin your reputation unless it already has big L. Time to put up or shut up with these "never been done" brain fart moments you get on a regular basis and now posting as updates

how bout a real update -on the real progress -that's going on at the press this week.. "IF" you had any press time at all this week one can only hold their breath. i mean u spend more time drawing and coming up with "INDUSTRY FIRST" updates which only means one thing our wallets are coming out again after this months charges go through

I’m sorry, but I simply don’t get the impression the majority of us are as upset about it as you are.

What order he produces them in is the order they end up getting finished in as far as I am concerned - and anyone who dislikes the delays and general artistic temperament are simply not going to be customers of his in the long run.

As for only you not being allowed to post things that don’t belong here - I really don’t know what you are referring to. First off as far as I know we don’t have a policy against spilling patreon info specifically, just private communications - and second, should someone cross that line and it remain its because it was not noticed, not because it was allowed.

And really, your wallet is in your pocket - he is not picking it - just stop pulling it out.

double_left wrote: ↑Thu May 25, 2023 3:40 pm since posting of member-only updates on here is NOW allow but not for me as it seems

GandalfPC wrote: ↑Thu May 25, 2023 4:02 pm As for only you not being allowed to post things that don’t belong here - I really don’t know what you are referring to.

I believe he had made a post with Patreon information and I had asked for it to be removed, but I can't recall what it was pertaining to exactly. Now that there's another post made with Patreon info in the public sphere, I understand the conflict. I suppose it's a gray area but it feels inappropriate to put what's meant for patrons into the public sphere unless Lotrek posts something equivalent publicly, like on Instagram. With that said, it's tough to decide where to draw the line.

double_left wrote: ↑Thu May 25, 2023 3:40 pm maybe keevork can answer this question from another member since Lotrekl doesnt response to actual real info and keevork has all the insight to lotrek decks

As much as I love to learn about everything Lotrek, I also respect the man, so I try not to ask him too many questions. I frankly do not mind being in the unknown and getting excited when subsequent updates are posted.

I do wonder why all these releases are happening when yearly rewards have yet to arrive, but I do have some guesses. Lotrek can be pretty quick regarding the designing process, and his non-foiled decks can be produced rather quickly at this point. It makes no sense to put those on pause if he's able to churn them out while he continues the more intricate and difficult decks in the background. The foiling process for many of these decks consumes a ton of time especially when Royal Silk took 21 plates to make! That's insane. As a reminder, we have had two test prints of this deck so far; test prints that to many already look good enough to be considered a final product.

I think it's risky for Lotrek to provide an answer regarding the order in which future decks will arrive. Things are ever-changing for him in his process. He changed the tuck box of Golden Rule Players minutes before the release, for example.

We're finishing up May and he's already released more decks this year than he had for the entirety of last year. We also have Redemption 4 & 5 releasing soon and shipping together. I can't complain.

"We're finishing up May and he's already released more decks this year than he had for the entirety of last year. We also have Redemption 4 & 5 releasing soon and shipping together. I can't complain."

Well said Kevork. I remember poking a bit of fun at Lotrek on the Redemption decks, having a good idea that this might be a long process. But heck, he has cranked out and delivered 3 free Redemption decks to us (and yeah, I bought a number of extras) and two more to be shipped soon. I mean, those are extra decks he has made that were not included in the advertised Patreon rewards while we wait patiently.

Whatever else, he is saying "I am sorry for the delay." in a very real and tangible way, to redeem himself with his patrons. He has accomplished that with me.

While we are talking about the Redemption decks, I have had one of my Redemption III (new Icons) decks out and handling almost daily. For a foiled deck on one side, they sure do handle superb. I am not by any means a cardist, but that deck has been holding up and handling really nicely.

I for one, am a big fan of the latest update. Gives me the same feeling as crypt and if it’s anything like that, I’m sure we’ll get blown away.

Lotrék is killing it and can’t wait to see the details behind this.

Good Job brother, ignore the noise
Cheers,
KW

Just received Golden Rule and eagerly await hsbc's photos of this deck. I'm happy to finally have Lotrek's rendition of Dondorf's Shakespeare in my hands to admire.
It does leave something to be desired, but that could be because I'm craving that sweet sweet foiling of the Patreon edition.

While we wait, any guesses on what Lotrek's new deck will incorporate? I'm thinking it'll be some sort of new material/ink either on the cards themselves or more likely the tuck. He's already done leather, velvet, and silk, so I'd be intrigued to find out more. Perhaps that's too much for a Redemption deck but then who knows? Maybe it's an opportunity for him to try something as he continues to perfect it for a non-Redemption release.

So people are getting the Golden Rule already? I ordered right at the release and haven't even received a tracking number yet.

redux wrote: ↑Wed May 31, 2023 12:37 am So people are getting the Golden Rule already? I ordered right at the release and haven't even received a tracking number yet.

They seem to be. Mine arrived today too.

I have not received mine nor gotten a shipping notice. Mine might be coming from Greece.

I got my Golden Rule deck Friday May 26th.

are the pictures kevork posted final courts? the king looks like a classical painting and the queen looks like a cartoon. wtf?

STLBluesNut wrote: ↑Wed May 31, 2023 8:43 am are the pictures kevork posted final courts? the king looks like a classical painting and the queen looks like a cartoon. wtf?

They're the final courts. Could have to do with the lighting/focus as it's very uneven in my photo.

Hmmm, this might be the (Deallez) tracking number I got last night ... ?? I have no idea. I thought Lotrek did his own fulfillment??

portcullis wrote: ↑Thu Jun 01, 2023 1:49 am Hmmm, this might be the (Deallez) tracking number I got last night ... ?? I have no idea. I thought Lotrek did his own fulfillment??

Im in the US and Wounded Corner did the fulfillment for the one I got. I'm not sure about the rest of the world.

Some US fulfillments I believe are coming from Lotrek himself? I thought I read that somewhere. Maybe larger orders?

kevork wrote: ↑Wed May 31, 2023 4:26 pm

STLBluesNut wrote: ↑Wed May 31, 2023 8:43 am are the pictures kevork posted final courts? the king looks like a classical painting and the queen looks like a cartoon. wtf?

They're the final courts. Could have to do with the lighting/focus as it's very uneven in my photo.

yeah... i dont think lighting is going change the art style from renaissance to 80's he-man.

I will have to open a pack and look at more of the courts, but it seems to be mostly an effect of the kings more contoured face, giving him details like a bags under eyes and bumps near eyebrows, while the young queen only has eyelids to shade

I agree, the king seems to have more depth to it than the queen.

Different shading effects imo. I wouldn't say it's as graphic as described but definitely a noticable difference.

I’d pay for Lotrek designed He-Man playing cards.

The queen had been moisturizing and using sunscreen religiously. She's also 25 years younger than the king, as is tradition.

I see what you all are pointing to, regarding the difference in shading.

These just turned up in my local online shop and I was considering getting them but that picture has made me reconsider. The difference between the two courts is ridiculous. It's not even close. Even the clothing has completely different levels of detail. WTF? I know there are a lot of fans of Lotrek here (and rightly so - I would say I was one of them) but someone should ask him to explain this.

Figured the debate might as well have all the context…

I like the courts on this deck. It's the aces and number cards I don't like. The sides of the frame on them are too thick , makes it seem crowded, and it just doesn't really work.

Thanks Gandalf. Seeing them side by side I can see they belong to the same style it's just that there's a range in how detailed each image is. Some are near the top end, some are at the bottom. And like the borders on a USPCC card back sometimes the range gets shifted all the way to the extreme like with that Queen of hearts. Can't say I'm overly impressed. Maybe with full foil it looks good enough but this version is a pass for me I think.

Email wrote:First, Royal Silk printing is (almost) over! The most difficult printing we ever did is finally just a liiiiittle bit before being complete. With only a very small portion of sheets that are left to be printed, we can consider it completed. No surprise that it took much longer than expected even at this final part... Next now is varnishing, cutting, assembling and cello wrapping. Thankfully, the tuck cases are ready almost a year now so we're really VERY CLOSE to breaking free!

But right now, the big news is... The Silk Players GIFT! We just got the finished gilded decks and they're amazing! We so much want to send them to you, that we will not wait for the Royal Silk to be completed. We will ship the gift decks separately, now. Each of you who has ordered the Royal Silk, will receive one Teal deck as a gift. If you want more, you can buy them from our store on Wednesday 14 June. The sale will begin at 5:00pm Eastern European Time. Remember that the Teal decks are available exclusively to you who have ordered -and so patiently waited for- the Royal Silk playing cards. Along with the Teal Edition we will release the Sand edition which is available to everyone.

IMPORTANT! On Monday 12 June we will send you an email with detailed instructions on how you will register for the gift -or the extra- decks. It is very important, so please make sure that you will read it carefully. See you soon!

Thank you so much,

Lotrek

tl;dr Two editions, Teal (exclusive) and Sand (public)

The latest Patron update! Holy smokes!!! Unreal.