Top 5 Most Funded Kickstarter Playing Cards Project of 2024

 

Crowdfunding has changed how creators bring their ideas to life by allowing people to gather support from backers worldwide. In the world of playing cards, Kickstarter has become a hub for innovative and beautifully designed decks that capture the imagination of collectors and enthusiasts alike.

We’ve compiled a list of the top five most funded Kickstarter playing card projects for 2024 (so far), showcasing the incredible creativity and support that these campaigns have garnered. These projects highlight the unique designs and themes that resonate with backers, making them some of the most successful campaigns in the playing card community. Dive in to see which decks have captured the hearts (and wallets) of the crowdfunding community this year.

5. Apollo
Funding $102,019
ARK Playing Cards

Drawing inspiration from Mount Olympus and the god of light himself, this deck is a testament to ARK’s creativity and innovation. With intricate illustrations and a creative tuck case, every aspect of this deck reflects the splendor of Greek mythology and captured beautifully through a stunning tuck case that unfolds into a perfect circle.

4. ANKH
Funding $118,397
ARK Playing Cards

Ankh Playing Cards by ARK are a tribute to the rich heritage and mythology of Ancient Egypt. At the heart of this collection is the ARK Case, designed with a pyramid-inspired triangular structure. This innovative case opens horizontally, revealing a large triangle formed by the sides and top. Inside, the illustrations in the Ankh Playing Cards blend hand-drawn and digital art techniques, vividly bringing to life the stories of Egyptian mythology. 

3. Morpheus
Funding $118,429
Charmie & Herman

Beautifully crafted by Charmie & Herman these decks are part of the Dream Spirits Oneiros collection. Inspired by the mythical land of dreams, these decks pay homage to the legendary God of Dreams in Greek mythology, Morpheus. Each card is adorned with full-foiled polar colors and starry-galaxy gilding, creating a truly enchanting experience. The tuck box is intricately designed to resemble the Palace of Morpheus, complete with a 3D laser-cut window and foiled artwork inside.

2. The Eye of the Ocean II
Funding $259,779
Stockholm17

This is the second part to Lorenzo Gaggiotti‘s archaeo-fantasy project based on the age of sails. It is not just another deck of playing cards, but also a novel with an interactive puzzle. The journey takes place on the mythical sailing island itself, exploring all the mysteries around the place. 

1. The Lord of the Rings Vol. 3
Funding $538,877
Kings Wild Project

Designed by Jackson Robinson, this final installment in the epic trilogy brings to life J.R.R. Tolkien’s iconic characters through beautifully illustrated court cards. Based The Return of the King, the deck features intricately designed court cards that depict key characters from the saga. Characters such as Aragorn and Arwen, Sam carrying Frodo, The King of the Dead, Denethor, Sauron, and many others are vividly illustrated, capturing their essence and significance in the story. Each card serves as a piece of art, designed to transport players into the legendary world of Middle-earth.

MORPHEUS- The King of Dreams Playing Cards

MORPHEUS- The King of Dreams Playing Cards by Charmie & Herman is an exquisite playing cards and part of the Dream Spirits Oneiros collection. Inspired by the mythical land of dreams, these decks pay homage to the legendary God of Dreams in Greek mythology, Morpheus.

Now on Kickstarter, the MORPHEUS decks come in two stunning editions. The Palace of Lucid Dream deck features a deep galaxy purple foiling tuck with a special medieval window-cut design. Each card is adorned with full-foiled polar light colors and starry-galaxy blue gilding, creating a truly enchanting experience. The tuck box is intricately designed to resemble the Palace of Morpheus, complete with a 3D laser-cut window and foiled artwork inside.

The Seal of Golden Sand deck comes with a sandy-textured tuck with full metallic golden accents. The tuck box features a golden wax-sealed design and eroded golden borders on every card, adding a touch of royalty and mystique. The gilding deck showcases a gold stained-glass pattern, reminiscent of the sacred palace of Morpheus.

Each deck is meticulously crafted to capture the essence of dreams and deliver a truly immersive experience. From the mesmerizing card backs to the intricate number cards and ace cards, every detail is thoughtfully designed to evoke the wonder and mystery of the dream world.

The MORPHEUS decks also come with a collector box- “Gates of Horn & Ivory,” which includes both decks, “The Key of Night Owl” Metal Key, and “The Scroll of Sandman” Guide of Dream Symbols. The Gates of Horn & Ivory gift box features highly detailed medieval engraving art, full foiled and embossed finishing, and a unique unboxing experience that will make you feel like you’re opening the gate of horn in person.

Printed by WJPC, these decks are sure to captivate your imagination! Pledge starts at $21 on Kickstarter.

On Kickstarter, Ravens of Odin- Norse Runes Playing Cards

Charmie has launched a Kickstarter campaign for a new playing cards project, Ravens of Odin. These decks showcase the magical runes and Norse deities, inspired by the pair of ravens – Huginn and Muninn – from Norse mythology.

Fully custom, the designer of the Ravens of Odin aims to promote the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom, drawing inspiration from Odin’s story in Norse mythology. Odin always sought knowledge and wisdom and sacrificed an eye for it.

The ‘Huginn Valhalla’ deck illustrates the ‘Dark Valhalla’ with a dark raven foiled card back and golden Valhalla tuck box. It also includes specially designed 24 Raven Runes number cards for cartomancy play.

On the other hand, the ‘Muninn Crystal’ deck features the ‘Magic Raven Stone’ with a full rainbow foiled card back and a stunning 3D orange crystal embedded on the tuck box. It includes more than 30 inspirational raven signs on number cards for users to shuffle for inspiration.

Each face card features illustrated Norse deity and each of them carries a Raven Rune Stone! The face cards of ‘Muninn’s Crystal’ version are foiled with holographic effect!

Both decks come with a gorgeous limited box set. The ‘Huginn Valhalla’ version features 3D gold foiling engraving art with a feather-pattern foiling gilding and 3D embossing art in gold foiled.

The back of the tuck box illustrates the raven of thought – Huginn. The ‘Muninn Crystal’ version showcases the ‘Eye of Muninn’ resin crystal on the tuck box and tailor-made feather pattern gold foil gilding.

Printed by WJPC and available now on Kickstarter for $21.

On Kickstarter, Onsen Neko Playing Cards

Hong Kong-based designer Mijiko‘s passion for playing cards sparked when her very first playing cards project, MEDCHA Playing Cards – a deck about tea and meditation, was a success. Then, it is followed by Sushi Cats Playing Cards – a deck about sushi and cute cats. Now, she comes back with another exciting and adorable project, Onsen Neko Playing Cards, a decksabout Japanese hot springs and cute cats.

The Onsen Neko tuck box features a vibrant red and gold foiled box, inspired by favorite animation film “Spirited Away”. The front side features a grand Japanese red building with the title of the deck. The back side features a group of cute cats enjoying their baths. The box has an interior artwork of UKIYOE wave pattern done in gold foil.

Inside, the cards comes with a stunning red foil on the two-way card backs featuring illustration of a grey cat enjoying its hot spring bath. The kanji Japanese character is located in the center, creating a subtle one-way back. Also, the cards will be gilded with red metallic foil with a ripple water texture – to represent the rippling waters of the onsen.

The court cards feature very cute cat deities of Japan – in Japanese folklore, cats have protective powers and symbolise good fortune. These cat’s illustrations looked familiar as it is based on Shinto Neko Playing Cards by Charmie Dreams – Herman contributed to the design of the courts for the deck. All of the faces feature stunning gold metallic foil.

The Aces feature each of the cats enjoying a nice hot bath in a wooden bathtub with colorful waters. The suits are divided into four different colors – they represent the different colors of Japanese onsen waters: Spades is green – Hearts is red – Clubs is blue – Diamonds is yellow.

The number cards feature groups of cats enjoying their onsen. They showcase 10 popular Onsen locations in Japan as well as providing several tips for a great Onsen experience. A group of number cards feature different colors based on different colored onsen waters.

The Jokers feature the Bathing Duck, which is a popular toy for a bathing buddy – one represents Day, which is signalled by the red sun, and the other one represents Night, which is signalled by the lit lantern.

The deck may come with a special collector’s box made of wood – fashioned to look like the Yuoke bucket found in Onsens. The half brick box is fashioned to be wrapped with traditional Japanese wrapping cloth – Furoshiki: the bamboo-art printing paper box containing 6 decks will be wrapped with a tailor-made full pattern-printed cloth.

Printed by WJPC and pledge starts from $19 on Kickstarter.

PHENEX REBORN: Heat-Sensitive Playing Cards

PHENEX REBORN: Heat-Sensitive Playing Cards by Charmie bring the legend of the Phoenix to life, capturing its essence of rebirth, resilience, and immortality. Inspired by Phenex, the fallen angel and commander of the 37th demon army who seeks redemption, this deck embodies transformation and renewal.

Two editions are on offer during the Kickstarter campaign, REBITH and ASHES. The REBIRTH deck celebrates the Phoenix’s resurgence with a 3D-embossed copper plate adorned with holographic red foil. The heat-sensitive Phenex plate reacts to warmth, revealing the reborn king before your eyes. Its double-sided tuck box illustrates ancestors honoring the Phoenix, while the full foiled Phenex Codex and burning-foiled gilding enhance its elegance.

Inside, each face card is decorated with 12 legendary creatures—Unicorns, Harpies, Chimeras, Hydras, and more—finished in full cold foil. The card back, designed with fiery symmetry, ensures a smooth shuffling experience for cardists. Number cards hide a secret Codex of Phenex that is unlocked by heat, revealing a hidden rebirth message.

Meanwhile, the ASHES deck rises from the embers with an intricately carbon-carved tuck featuring 3D-embossed Phoenix flames, alchemical symbols, and the Philosopher's Stone. The lenticular fire effect makes the flames flicker as you move the box, while the cracked-lava interior and ruby flame-foiled gilding add a dramatic touch.

Face cards are finished in cold-foiled silver, showcasing dark mythical creatures in a classic engraving art style. The card back is detailed with a charcoal-engraved Phenex ornament, black foils, and an embossed Philosopher's Stone. Number cards conceal 36 Elemental Circles, revealed through heat, making every game an alchemical experience.

Encased in a 3D-embossed golden relic, the ELEMENTAL CHEST collector’s box holds both Rebirth and Ashes decks, along with a Ruby Translucent Phenex’s Circle Necklace. Heat-sensitive element icons on the box unlock the secret of immortality, while a floating display stand transforms it into a mystical artifact. Blending fire, alchemy, and magic, the Phenex Reborn Playing Cards are a stunning tribute to transformation and legend.

Printed on premium black-core card with linen texture and Cardistry-graded coating varnished. Pledge starts at $24 on Kickstarter.

The Sigils of Fenrir Glowing Playing Cards

Final 48 hours on Kickstarter, the Sigils of Fenrir Glowing Playing Cards offer a mesmerizing blend of Norse mythology and unique design. Created by Jin, a brand designer inspired by Viking lore, this deck brings the legend of Fenrir, the powerful, misunderstood wolf of Ragnarok to life. 

The Standard Edition features a stunning 3D wolf fur pattern and a tuck box accented with blue foils, which reveal glowing blue flames in the dark. Inside, silver foiled designs include the "Spear of Odin," Gungnir, adding a touch of mythological depth. 

The cards showcase tattoo-style depictions of Fenrir against a grunge foil background, with twelve Norse runes incorporated into the court cards for added symbolism.

The Ace of Spades showcase rainbow-foiled details of Fenrir and intricate Viking designs. Number cards have custom Norse rune pips, creating a rustic, frosty aesthetic that captures the icy, rugged world of the Vikings. When fanned, the card backs reveal the Helm of Awe blessing rune, a symbol of Norse bravery and magic.

The Silver Fenrir Special Edition takes it a step further, with a 3D embossed, silver-foiled tuck box and snow-silver gilding that elevates the deck to a collector's item. It embodies the mythological essence of Fenrir, blending strength and elegance.

The GUNGNIR Collector Box Set, designed in collaboration with Charmie Dreams, includes both the standard and special editions, a dark wooden gift box with metal chains, and a "King of Rage" metal bookmark. The design echoes the power of Gungnir, Odin’s legendary spear, which is central to the myth.

With its unique glowing effects, intricate artwork, and immersive details, the Sigils of Fenrir Glowing Playing Cards invites card players and collectors to embrace the strength and resilience of the Norse wolf. Each card serves as a piece of the Fenrir myth, a tribute to courage and defiance.

Printed by WJPC and pledge starts at $16 on Kickstarter.

Kardify Magazine Issue 95 Now on Patreon

We just dropped Kardify Magazine Issue 95 on Patreon! Patrons who pledged $3 or more will be able to download the latest issue from our Patreon page. This issue compiles selected articles published from mid-March to mid-April. Deck images, articles, and news to keep you informed and up-to-date with the latest playing card news, releases, and previews. If you love playing cards, you will love Kardify Magazine!

Also, don’t forget to check out our other cool reward tiers on Patreon! The tiers include monthly desktop and smartphone wallpapers, a mystery deck shipped to you every 4 months of ongoing contributions, social media shout-outs, and multiple sponsorship tiers! Check it out!

Funds received from the magazine will help us keep the site running and growing, and bring new quality content to you. Our aim is to support designers by backing crowdfunded projects and supporting magic and playing cards retailers with their new releases. If you want to support us, please head over to our Patreon page. If you have an idea for an article you would like us to pursue, do get in contact with us. We hope you enjoy the read. In this issue:   

+ Jack the Ripper & Sherlock Holmes: Anti-Faro’s latest release is an immersive puzzle game where players must analyze hidden clues, follow trails, and uncover the truth. Find out more!

+ Phenex Reborn: This Heat-Sensitive deck by Charmie bring the legend of the Phoenix to life, capturing its essence of rebirth, resilience, and immortality.

+ Obsession: From Thirdway Industries, this series is an artistic exploration of desire, dreams, and the fine line between fantasy and nightmare. 

+ Sushi: Designed by June Muhlada and produced by Kings Wild Project, this decks offer a stunning fusion of tradition and modern artistry. Check it out!

+ 1st Feather Deck: Take a look at Chris Ramsay's latest release, 1st Playing Cards Feather Deck, a new addition to the series that embodies elegance and sophistication.

+ Mailchip Summer Edition: Released 10 years ago, Theory11's MailChimp Summer Edition Playing Cards are an ultra-rare collector’s item, with only 100 decks released to the public. This deck is a true gem for enthusiasts. Find out more!

+ How to play Spoons: Spoons is a card game that can be played by two or more players. It is a fast-paced and exciting game that is perfect for a fun and energetic game night with friends or family.

… and more! 50 pages of articles and deck images. Enjoy!