This is an update to inform those interested of yet another obstacle and a workaround in progress. I prepped Bridge (Runebound) size cards for print at The Game Crafter site to be packaged in a Poker size tuckbox; TGC does not offer a Bridge size tuckbox to go with their Bridge size cards.
The TGC game publisher’s system generated yet another error message upon trying to publish CoA Ref. Cards product. The system caught the difference between card size and box size and stopped the publishing process. However, the error message generated said nothing about this and referenced something else. Days later, once I got a support response, TGC’s policy is not to package Bridge size cards in a Poker size tuckbox… even though they would fit. This is the third time I (and you) have lost up to three days in clarifying a problem the TGC system did not correctly identify in the first place.
For Want of a Solution…
The only option is to use TGC’s small pro box (some 5.5”x3.5”), and I will not do that to you. It would add another $2 USD — at a minimum — to the current $9 cost… and for a box that is two times the size needed and likely of little other use to anyone. Not to mention forcing me to design another box wrap.
I looked at other P.O.D. sites offering Bridge size fully customized fronts and backs, and again no Bridge size tuckbox. All still require (and charge for) some type of specific packaging so there is less risk of a damaged product having to be returned. Artscow.com uses a plastic card box included (but had no Bridge size cards) and the price of a deck plus packaging (before S&H) is $11 USD. Some P.O.D.s offered custom tuckbox cuts to accommodate Bridge size, but again the price of the product would jump… by $3 to $10 dollars per unit. Absurd!
Saving Coin in Retreat…
It has now been almost two weeks since I started trying to get these cards published. Packaging is the issue due to the size of the cards; Bridge (Runebound) size is not a widely used / recognized standard in the P.O.D. industry. I should have stuck with my original intention to use Poker size cards only. And even so…
I must still attempt to publish these cards through TGC. Regardless of a poorly scripted back end system, it is still the best price for cards, offers me the best control (sort of), and is the least expensive made-to-fit (and printed) packaging option. I know, another delay. Bear with me, as I especially dislike (to put it mildly) the amount of time that I have personally lost. Obviously I am not giving up that easily.
For the Future…
I will now begin re-rendering all CoA card images to fit Poker (2.5” x 3.5”) size… like they started out a while back. I construct all of my custom card templates to be adjustable anyway, so hopefully this should not take more the two long evenings. Into the future, including for the coming Runebound Tales: In the Wild deck, I will stick with this size of card.
NOTE: There will be no further attempt to work in Bridge size cards where a P.O.D. option is sought! Sorry, Runebound players, but I have lost enough sanity already.
And Some Other Stuff…
There have been recent queries (along with others over the last year) about professionally printed editions of my add-on decks for Talisman 4ER. This refers to such as Talisman Tales and Space Expanders. I must point out that a problem similar to that of the CoA deck exists with any game using “mini” cards.
I have no idea why the Euro-mini (1.6125” x 2.5”) vs. the USA-mini (1.75” x 2.5”) is so commonly seen; USA-mini is all that is offered by acceptable P.O.D. operations I have found.
I will (re)consider these additional projects in the near future. Since they are autonomous decks (not mixed with a game’s standard cards), there should not be a problem unless you want to sleeve them. If so, you will need appropriately sized sleeves from places like MayDay Games (one of my preferred suppliers). As with all products as add-ons to a commercially produced games, should I choose to setup these decks for P.O.D, they will be NFP (not-for-profit); you will pay only the cost from the P.O.D. service. I will never profit off of products produced for a fan community associated to someone else’s commercial product.
Back To It…
Time to get to work — again. Especially so, since others (and some of you) are waiting for me to get back to Runebound Tales: In the Wild. Some of my small readership is also interested in returning to OFGI (previously OFBI) components in development that were left fallow.
One of these is the modular terrain tile system for use in creating random and custom-mapped game boards. Eventually, they could be produced in 3.5” hex tiles and 3.5” hex cards; one is more durable and the other is more affordable. And yes, as some have suggested to me, these tiles could be used to create entirely new lands for Runebound play; though they are being designed as an open standard for any game of fantasy wilderness adventure.
Thank you for dropping by once again, and I will have another update soon.
Yeah, POD services seem really friendly until you want to do something else than standard with them. Easiest way to lose a client is not accommodating to his needs!
ReplyDeleteI could not fault TGC if that was all there was too it. But a Bridge size deck is only 1/4" narrower than a Poker deck and does fit in a Pker tuck box. To do all that work for something that does work and only then be told I'm not allowed to do so... though it does work. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteThere are other like conditions where I've run into this TGC that I have not mentioned, and such have not been noted in any of their documentation. Meanwhile, some of the problems with their publishing system have existed for a while and not bee corrected for a year or more (by discussions I have traced in their forums). But enough complaining from me already.