Fellow Arkhamites,

After a rather protracted delay, I've finally secured the talents of a Philadelphia-based Master Sculptor. I know several of you are interested in procuring displays, ostensibly to showcase the artistic renderings on the cards and bring greater organization to the game table versus piles of cards scattered all over the place, but also to utilize more vertical vice horizontal surface area ~ as we know, this game takes space!

While the overall design has been reviewed and accepted, we're at the stage of choosing the medium with which he shall produce the commissioned work. The spectrum runs from relatively inexpensive, but takes a much longer time to replicate for additoinal customers to expensive up-front costs but allows for much faster turn-around of the displays. In terms of each medium, we have the Material, Finish, Strength, Detail, and Cost:

Material / Finish / Strength / Detail / Cost
Furniture Wood / Stain / High / None / Low
Vac-u-form Plastic / Plasic or Paint / Low / Medium / Low
Routed Wood or Plastic / Stain or Paint / High / Low or None / Medium
Resin Cast / Resin or Paint / Medium to High / High / High

At the risk of angering the Elder-Moderators, I'll have interested parties visit the BGG site to vote. The poll shall remain in place for a week, and then it's off to production.

The Professor

Thanks.

You should include the voting link.

Avi,

I appreciate that ~ unfortunately, I'm not familiar with it. May I ask for your assistance in that regard? On BGG, I have nearly two dozen responses (where there's a poll). I'm very excited and the Master Sculptor is rendering pictures this weekend which I'll attempt to post in the days ahead.

The Professor

The Professor said:

Found the poll on BGG.

Here is the link:

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/684409/ah-card-displays

Dr. Jay

Avi,

I'm sorry ~ didn't mean to confuse you.

Dr. Jay,

I appreciate the copy/paste!

The Professor

Here's how to link it:

www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/684409/ah-card-displays

Though I have to tell you I really don't get the point.

The Old Man said:

The point of what? Linking his post here is so he can get more coverage thus more responses and more potential orders. Or did you mean the card stand itself? Less square footage used for cards means more playing area which means less clutter which means happier people. Or were you just being fatuous? Or am I just being an ass?

From the Master Sculptor...

"Hey all, thanks for your interest. Allow me (dubbed: Master Sculptor [rolls eyes]) to answer a few of your questions. The end look of the cardholder set will be dictated by the Prof. He commissions it, he picks the final look. Suffice it to say they'll be period looking, suggested ruins, all tentacle-y and fang-y, and oozing goo (pun intended). No, they are not a carrying case, they are cardholding display stands. They will fit on a standard bookshelf (for not-in-use display), a few will interlock. There will be room to add expansion cards and talks about expansion specific holders. All told (including player card plates) there should be about a dozen pieces in the basic set. We are going with a silicon molded casting resin (likely poyltec 1512 or easyflow 60... for anyone really interested), one solid color with a shading wash to enhance details and seal the pieces. They will be strong enough to withstand errant dice throws, refreshment spills, ashes, however no guarantees against cats and small children. When I have working concept drawings, they will be posted. Without final detail and sizing finished, I cannot accurately estimate the cost yet, but it will be in the few hundred dollar range. Don't worry, I won't let you down.
About me: Yes, I play AH. Yes, Im a gamer. Yes I am a professional artist who has been making custom museum exhibits, displays, and props for over a decade. yes, my work has been viewed by millions of viewers, thousands of children, and four US Presidents. I know what I'm doing, and you won't be disappointed. Thanx"

The Professor said:

**** it... I have a bastard child and a common-law wife that I have to feed. I was hoping for a cheaper wood construction. Wood = Good.

Arkhamresident,

The poll numbers are definitely trending toward the resin vice the wood construction, as a number of individuals have highlighted the level of detail they would want to see. Belive me, as I go forward with this project, I'll remain very mindful of the costs, and I hope to absorb most of the associated expenditures so that the broader community can realize a bit of a decreased price in the long run. Who knows, FFG or someone else might even really like our product...

The Professor

arkhamresident said:

Yeah, and I'm the ass.

The Professor said:

The Old Man said:

arkhamresident said:

I was really excited until I got to the few hundred dollar range bit ;'D I think I'll spend those few hundred dollars not buying the Arkham Horror miniatures either.

The Professor said:

Ohhhh, is he saying that making a mold or something would cost a few hundred dollars, and reproducing it afterward would be cheaper?

Avi,

I'll have a chat with your therapists As to the price, yes, I hope to absorb the initial supplies cost for my own production, and then subsequent sets will be cheaper.

The Old Man said:

I never called you an ass I called MYSELF an ass. Sheesh.

The Professor said:

Well if the last few presidential elections in this country have taught us anything the people don't know what's good for them! I'll stop whining now.

Fellow Arkhamites,

Master Sculptor has provided me with several drawing, as mentioned previously. He's recently discussed the project with an Illustrator whom he knows, so within a few days, I should have the illustrated renderings to show everyone. Again, thank you for your outstanding enthusiasm with this project.

The Professor

arkhamresident said:

I apologize for my misreading.

I hate to upset any plans you may have already come up with or designs you might have already come up with, but have you thought of having this created?

www.youtube.com/watch

Just a thought, looks pretty complete and has a few cool add-ons.

Dr. Jay

Dr. Jay,

It was actually that video that started me thinking about creating a series of display stands for the cards. Where that person started...I want to take the idea further, by incorporating more theme-inspired displays, high levels of imaginative detail, and of course great use of space. Yes, my hats off to the individual who developed the carrying case idea, but its utilitarian construct forms the jumping-off point for us, not the final product.

The Professor

Cool! Can't wait to see your drawings and designs.

Dr. Jay

Arkhamites,

We're in the final throes of concept design for the majority of the card displays, including Arkham Horror Encounter cards, plus Dunwich, Kingsport, and Innsmouth; the Great Old One, Other World Encounter cards, plus Gates and Monsters; the Mythos Cards; and the Investigator Pad.

More to come...

The Professor