Fractal Seed - Cyberpunk Playing Cards by Ivan Fortunov
Cyberpunk playing cards inspired by advanced science and technology in an urban dystopian future. Designed by Ivan Fortunov, 2021.
Ffractal Seed, cyberpunk themed playing cards designed by Ivan Fortunov, a Bulgarian game designer, architect, and artist. The deck was produced in collaboration with Ukraine-based Roman Kotiv, the owner of Noir Arts. Roman Kotiv has been producing playing cards for the local Ukraine market under the Noir Arts brand since 2005, and offically incorperated Noir Playing Card Company (NPCC) in 2014; where he's been focused on producing decks funded via Kickstarter in collaboration with artists from around the world.
Artist Ivan Fortunov raised £5,729 (USD$7,155) from 337 backers through a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2021, producing a limited edition print run 1,000 Fractal Seed decks.
Fortunov was originally inspired to create the deck by the launch of the Cyberpunk 2077 video game, and decided to create a deck of playing cards around the themes found in the game and the broader cyberpunk genre.
Cyberpunk is a subgenre of science fiction in a dystopian futuristic setting that tends to focus on a “combination of low-life and high tech“. When the cyberpunk genre is applied to playing cards it results in hi-tech pips and cybernetically enhanced courts.
All the courts are reimagined approperately for the cyberpunk genre, Fortunov notes "during the design process of the court cards, I tried to keep as close as possible to their contemporary interpretation regarding facing directions and props", which results in the courts being instantly regonisable whilst unique.
The jokers depect a man with cybernetic attachment on his head, maybe plugged into the Metaverse? Fortunov says this is his favourite card and he "loves the mystery that surrounds this card".
There are 56 cards in the deck: 52 playing cards, 2 jokers, 2 gaff cards. The gaff cards show a cross-like illustration. The gaffs were intended to be used as special cards in a game which was planned as a strech goal for the Kickstarter campaign. The campaign didn't reach its full funding goal to unlock the game, but the cards remain in the deck. The other gaff notes the deck is a limited edition of 1,000 printed by NPCC. See the back .
References
By Adam Wintle
Member since March 15, 1997
Adam has been involved in developing the site as well as reviewing new decks and conducting research. He is particularly interested in innovation, Kickstarter and East Asian cards. He is a member of the IPCS and webmaster of the EPCS.
Related Articles
Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs
A limited edition art print of the Jack of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Queen of Clubs
A limited edition art print of the Queen of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Joker
A limited edition art print of the 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil King of Diamonds
A limited edition art print of the King of Diamonds 1984 woodblock joker.
Science Fiction
A deck of 55 cards, celebrating a time when Science Fiction truly was, Science Fiction.
The Beatles playing cards
Two packs featuring photos of The Beatles issued by the same publisher in 2004 and 2005.
Women by Royo
‘Women by Royo’ erotic playing cards published by Heraclio Fournier, Spain, 2001.
Commoners playing cards
Created by Ian Cumpstey dedicated to the common land and the countryside.
Liber Ludorum
Liber Ludorum playing cards created by Ian Cumpstey in the insular style, United Kingdom, 2019.
Pike and Clover playing cards
Pike and Clover playing cards created by Ian Cumpstey, Cumbria, UK, 2018.
Les Tontons du Rock
Caricatures of rock and pop stars in black and white by Charles Da Costa.
Inglewood Hunting Deck
Inglewood Hunting Deck created by Ian Cumpstey, United Kingdom, 2023.
Classic Movie Posters
A deck of 55 cards presenting vintage classic movies and their stars.
Rock & Pop Legends
Stunning photos of a selection of US and UK music artists.
The Beatles • Yellow Submarine
A colourful deck celebrating the 1968 animated feature film based on the Lennon/McCartney song of th...
Star Trek II • The Wrath of Khan
This deck is a vibrant photographic tribute to "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," one of the most be...
Hitchcock
A deck of 55 cards celebrating the master of mystery, murder and mayhem, Alfred Hitchcock.
Tuxedo playing cards
Stylish ‘Tuxedo’ playing cards with animal faces created by Natalia Silva, USA, 2016.
Alice in Wonderland: we’re all mad here
Alice in Wonderland themed playing cards, UK, 2020.
Starz behind bars
Starz behind bars playing cards with mug shots of the rich and famous under arrest, USA, 2003.
Jeu des Copains
French popular singing stars of the 1960s.
Russian folk art playing cards
Russian folk art playing cards produced by Natalia Silva, USA, 2017.
Trump playing cards
Trump playing cards produced by the Godesky brothers, USA, 2016.
5th Kingdom playing cards
5th Kingdom Luxury playing cards designed by Maria Fedoseeva, USA, 2020.
The Tarot Strikes Back
Roy Huteson Stewart's The Tarot Strikes Back combines Star Wars with Rider-Waite tarot imagery.
House of Tudor
Randy Butterfield's House of Tudor playing cards feature detailed art in a high-quality collectible ...
Branle playing cards
‘Branle’ playing cards inspired by a 12th-century dance, produced by Noir Arts, USA, 2015.
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
Pack featuring six images from the Disney film of the same name, on cards made for Eastern Europe.
Mardi Gras playing cards
Mardi Gras playing cards illustrated by Dave Edgerly, USA, 2015
Romeo and Juliet playing cards
Romeo and Juliet playing cards illustrated by Belgian artist Virginie Carquin 2016.
Murphy Varnish pack
Reproduction of the 1883 Murphy Varnish transformation pack, USA, 2019
Aztec Codex playing cards
Aztec Codex playing cards illustrated by Emmanuel Valtierra, USA, ©2015.
Tarot of the Unknown
Inspired by the Halloween Cartoon “Over the Garden Wall”.
Eclipse Comic playing cards (reproduction)
Eclipse Comic playing cards is a reproduction of the first transformation pack printed in the USA in...
Old West Guns
Old West Guns playing cards containing information about firearms from the Old West, USA.
Malam playing cards
Malam playing cards created by Michael Muldoon, USA, 2015.
The Broons and Oor Wullie playing cards
Characters from The Broons and Oor Wullie comic strips on their 75th anniversary.
Kings of India playing cards
Kings of India playing cards depicting the four greatest dynasties of India.
Star Wars: a New Hope
‘Star Wars: a New Hope’ playing cards to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the film Star Wars, USA, ...
Moorish Deck
Review of “Trzes’ Moorish Deck” facsimile published by Ulrich Kaltenborn, Berlin, 2023.
Dandy Rock’n Bubble
56 rock and pop stars of the 1980s, issued in Denmark with bubble gum.
Disney Villains Tarot Deck
The Disney Villains tarot deck by Insight Editions emphasises iconic villains, merging traditional t...
Back to the 80s Lenormand
History meets pop culture in a 36-card set that pays tribute to Lenormand's legacy and the colourful...
Pixel Tarot
This tarot deck pays tribute to the golden age of pixelated video games, drawing inspiration from th...